Zach Williams - Go Tell It on the Mountain Lyrics
Lyrics
While shepherds kept their watching
Over 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
Shepherds feared and trembled
When lo and above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our savior's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morning
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
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And he showed me the way
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
Video
Zach Williams - Go Tell It on the Mountain (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Zach Williams released his powerful rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" on October 22, 2021, as part of his album *I Don't Want Christmas to End*. This release revitalizes a cherished spiritual, breathing Zach's signature blend of bluesy rock and authentic testimony into the timeless Christmas narrative. Known for his candid sharing of faith journeys and redemptive themes, Williams approaches this classic not merely as a festive carol, but as a fervent declaration, urging believers to proclaim the foundational truth of Christian faith: the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings.
The song's core message, inherited from its traditional roots, is an undeniable call to evangelism. The opening lines "While shepherds kept their watching / Over silent flocks by night / Behold throughout the heavens / There shone a holy light" immediately transport us to the Judean hills, echoing the divine announcement found in Luke 2:8-9. It recalls how the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds, followed by the appearance of an angel bearing good news of great joy for all people. The repeated refrain, "Go tell it on the mountain / Over the hills and everywhere / Go tell it on the mountain / That Jesus Christ is born," is more than a catchy chorus; it's a direct echo of the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, commanding His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations." It’s a timeless directive to share the transformative message of Christ’s arrival and subsequent work.
The narrative continues, recounting the shepherds' initial fear and subsequent awe: "Shepherds feared and trembled / When lo and above the earth / Rang out the angel chorus / That hailed our savior's birth." This vividly portrays the overwhelming power of the divine encounter described in Luke 2:9-14, where the angel's announcement was quickly joined by "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God." The lyrics then underscore the humility of Christ's birth and its profound purpose: "Down in a lowly manger / Our humble Christ was born / And God sent us salvation / That blessed Christmas morning." This highlights the crucial theological truth from Luke 2:7, emphasizing that the King of Kings arrived in the most unassuming circumstances, aligning with Isaiah 9:6 which prophesied the birth of a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Matthew 1:21, which confirms His name Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins." The manger scene isn't just a quaint image; it's the genesis of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
What truly elevates Zach Williams’s rendition beyond a simple cover is the inclusion of his unique, personal verses, which powerfully integrate his own testimony into the ancient hymn. He sings, "When I was a seeker / I sought both night and day / I asked the Lord to help me / And he showed me the way." This intimate confession speaks to countless individuals who have earnestly searched for meaning and purpose, much like the promise in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." It's a testament to the Lord's faithfulness in revealing Himself to those who genuinely pursue Him, showing a path of salvation and transformation. Following this, Williams declares, "He made me a watchman / Upon a city wall / And if I am a Christian / I am the least of all." This speaks directly to the prophetic and evangelistic calling often found in Scripture, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17 where the prophet is appointed as a "watchman for the house of Israel." This imagery underscores the responsibility of a believer to proclaim God's truth, to warn and to share the good news. His humble admission, "I am the least of all," resonates deeply with the spirit of humility espoused by figures like Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:9 and Ephesians 3:8, who considered himself "the least of the apostles" and "less than the least of all God’s people," recognizing that any effectiveness in ministry comes from God's grace, not personal merit.
Zach Williams's "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is thus more than a nostalgic Christmas tune; it’s an urgent and deeply personal anthem of faith. It masterfully weaves the historical narrative of Christ’s birth with the contemporary call to share that truth, anchored in personal redemption and a profound sense of humility before God. The song encourages believers not only to remember the miraculous birth of Jesus but to actively participate in the ongoing story of salvation by proclaiming His name "over the hills and everywhere." It’s an inspiring reminder that the Christmas message is not confined to a single season but is a perpetual, life-altering truth meant to be shared with passion and purpose, extending far beyond the holiday season into every corner of our lives and the world.