Artist Statement
This song was born in the oral culture of African slaves in the American south, and was embraced by the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. It was originally written by African American composer, John Wesley Work. Go Tell It on the Mountain has come to mean many things depending on the time and place in which it is sung – freedom anthem, hymn of faith, and a simple song of Christmas. For me it is a song that rings out on a dark night crying – Jesus, come already! And, yes, thank God, You are already here.