The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
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Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born hallelujah (2x)
The shepard kept their watchin'
All over the sheep
He hold the light from heaven
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Born this bright glorious morning
Christ is born today
He came to redeem every sinner
And to wash, their sins away, hallelujah
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills Lord, everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
The song "Go Tell It On the Mountain" by The Ames Brothers is a Christian gospel song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The song is an invitation for everyone to spread the news of Jesus' birth and to proclaim His greatness over the hills and everywhere, using the image of a mountain as a powerful symbol of strength and majesty. The lyrics encourage people to share this good news, and to do it with joy and enthusiasm, using the repeated phrase "Go tell it on the mountain" as a rallying cry.
In the second verse, the song tells the story of the shepherds who kept watch over their flocks at night, when an angel appeared to them and announced the birth of Jesus.
The lyrics go on to emphasize the significance of Jesus' birth, describing it as a bright and glorious morning, when Christ came to redeem sinners and wash away their sins. The refrain of the song, "That Jesus Christ is born" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the message of the song.
Overall, "Go Tell It On the Mountain" is a song that celebrates the good news of Jesus' birth and encourages believers to share that good news with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Go tell it on the mountain
Spread the news of Jesus' birth far and wide
Over the hills and everywhere
No place is too far or hard to reach with the message
That Jesus Christ is born hallelujah
Announcing the joyous news of the Savior's arrival
The shepard kept their watchin'
The shepherds were watching over their flocks
All over the sheep
They were present with their animals
He hold the light from heaven
They saw a heavenly light and held it close
That shone a holy light, everybody
The light was sacred and was seen by all who were there
Born this bright glorious morning
Jesus was born on a beautiful and magnificent morning
Christ is born today
Jesus was born on that specific day
He came to redeem every sinner
Jesus was sent to save and forgive all who have sinned
And to wash, their sins away, hallelujah
His arrival meant the opportunity for repentance and forgiveness
Over the hills Lord, everywhere
Even over the toughest and most rugged lands, Jesus' message should be shared
That Jesus Christ is born!
Emphasizing the miraculous and significant news of Jesus' birth
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL BATEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind