Go Tell It On The Mountain / Traditional Folk Song / Banjo

Go Tell It On The Mountain is a traditional Folk Song. We don`t know who wrote it but musicologist, John Wesley Work, Jr., a collector of African American folk songs and folk songs in general published it many moons ago. The song celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is often song around Christmas time. Thanks to Peter Paul & Mary, the well know folk group trio, the song broke free from just being labeled a Christmas song and is now sung the whole year round. Simon & Garfunkel also recorded a most outstanding version, as well as many others.

This is my clawhammer banjo version arrangement and I really enjoyed singing and playing this one. However you may need to take a couple aspirin and lie down and put a cold cloth on your head after listening to my version because my clawhammer is very harsh is spots. Specifically my index striking finger. I hesitated whether to post this or just do it over. I will do it over on the guitar and banjo some day. In the mean time I`ve been trying to re-learn the clawhammer using my middle finger instead of index finger which will definitely help with the harshness of my playing. I`m also getting better at the upstroke index lead technique which I`m really excited about and look forward to trying out. Pete Seeger and Derroll Adams both played predominately in that style. Anyways I`ll have one more song next week and then I`ll take a short break for 2 or 3 weeks. It`s been a great year with sharing the music and making some new friends here on YouTube, Facebook and Rumble. Looking forward to 2024. Lets keep the music going. Oh, I reveal my very own sonic branding at the end! Very important to have your own sonic branding!

Go Tell It On The Mountain - lyrics
performed by, Dan D. Dirges
vocal with guitar accompaniment

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day,
I asked the Lord to guide me,
And he showed me the way.

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

He made me a watchman
Upon a city wall,
And if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

While at night the shepards,
They watched both near and far
They saw that from the heavens
There came a holy star

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!