PagineGo Tell It on the Mountain is a 1907 Christmas carol that begins “While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night…”. Below are the full public-domain lyrics to print and sing, links to free sheet music, its history and fun actions for kids.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour’s birth.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
Go Tell It on the Mountain · words: African American spiritual; verses by John Wesley Work Jr. · music: African American spiritual · public domain · printed from pagineapp.com
Full hymn and choir arrangements of Go Tell It on the Mountain are free because the song is in the public domain. Download them from these non-profit libraries:
Go Tell It on the Mountain is an African American spiritual. It was collected and published by John Wesley Work Jr., a pioneering music scholar at Fisk University, in 1907.
Point out to the “hills” and clap on the beat.
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The words are by African American spiritual; verses by John Wesley Work Jr. and the music is by African American spiritual; it dates from 1907.
Yes. Go Tell It on the Mountain is in the public domain, so the lyrics on this page are free to print and sing at home, school or church.
Go Tell It on the Mountain is a good fit for children aged 3+. Try the actions on this page to keep little ones singing along.
🗓️ Updated October 2026