<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.
Founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 by A. C. “Eddie” Griffin, Robert “Peg” Ford, Henry Owens, and Bill Johnson, they began as a traditional jubilee quartet, combining the clever arrangements associated with barbershop quartets with rhythms borrowed from the blues and jazz.
The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join “The Jubalaires” and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles—from Owens’ mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name, to the group’s highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
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 angels chorus
That hailed the 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
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The Golden Gate Quartet's song "Go Tell It On the Mountain" is a traditional Christmas spiritual that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song begins with a call to spread the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ: "Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born." These lines acknowledge that the news of the birth of Jesus is something to be celebrated and shared throughout the world.
The following verse describes the scene of the shepherds watching their flocks at night and witnessing a holy light shining in the heavens. This scene is a reference to the biblical story of the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus Christ in a manger. The second verse talks about the fear the shepherds felt when they saw the angels heralding the birth of the Savior. Finally, the third verse tells of the humble birth of Jesus in a manger, and the belief that this event brought salvation to the world.
"Go Tell It On the Mountain" is meant to be an uplifting and joyous song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The song encourages listeners to share the news of the miracle of Jesus's birth and to be joyful in the knowledge that God has sent salvation to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Go, tell it on the mountain
Share this good news loudly and proudly with everyone around you
Over the hills and everywhere
No matter where you are or who you encounter, spread the message to all
That Jesus Christ is born
Proclaim the joyful news of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord
While shepherds kept their watching
During the night, shepherds were carefully guarding and looking after their flocks
Over silent flocks by night
The peaceful flocks of sheep were quietly resting and sleeping in the darkness
Behold throughout the heavens
Suddenly, the skies were illuminated and filled with an amazing, divine light
There shone a holy light
The light itself was holy and had a supernatural quality to it
The shepherds feared and trembled
The shepherds were terrified and overwhelmed by what they saw and heard
When lo! above the earth
Suddenly and unexpectedly, there was something extraordinary happening up in the sky
Rang out the angels chorus
The heavenly beings sang gloriously and loudly in praise of the newborn King
That hailed the Savior's birth
The angels were celebrating and acknowledging the arrival of the Savior of the world
Down in a lowly manger
Jesus was born in a humble, simple stable for animals
The humble Christ was born
God's own Son was born in a modest and unassuming manner
And God sent us salvation
This miraculous birth was God's way of providing us with eternal salvation and redeeming us
That blessèd Christmas morn
The day of Jesus' birth, Christmas morning, is a special and blessed time for all believers
Lyrics © Public Domain
Written by: Traditional
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