Spread the News and "Go Tell the Mountain" / “Go Tell It On The Mountain”

Another hymn that rouses the spirit of mission and the Yuletide is "Go Tell the Mountain."

Taken literally, the title of the hymn seems to suggest the impossible.

The song does not have a specific lyricist, due to its origin as an African-American spiritual song. The most notable person involved in this song is John Wesley Work Jr., ho complied songs and published them in 1865. "Go Tell The Mountain" might have African-American roots, but it is considered as a carol due to the context of its text, which pertains to Christ's birth. Its Scripture basis is on Luke 2:8-20. Despite its Biblical roots, the song is popular for both secular and non-secular performers.

The hymn starts with the refrain, which is repeated after singing the three stanzas of the song. Each stanza has four lines, including the refrain. Every stanza alludes to the scene of Nativity, where various Nativity reteams are mentioned. In the refrain, the last line directly refers to the event. In the stanzas, there is mention of shepherds, an angelic chorus and the manger – all pointing out to the event.

The man associated with the song, John Wesley Work Jr. (1873-1925) was a native of Nashville, Texas. He was was born, lived and died in Nashville. His education comprises of studying Latin and history at Fisk University. He earned his B.A. in 1895 and his M.S. in1898. He continued work in the university as an instructor of Greek and Latin until 1906. He was altering promoted to be the chair of the department. His work with this song involved his brother, Frederick Jerome (1879-1942). Both men are leading figures in the study. preservation, and performance of African-American spirituals. Their work includes the Jubilee Songs as Sung by Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901) and Folk Songs of the American Negro (1907). John Work Jr's work is named The Folk Song of the American Negro (1915).