About High on the Mountain Top#
This is a Latter-day Saint hymn from the 1850s, written for a young settlement in the American West and looking toward a temple on a hill. Its words are usually credited to Joel Hills Johnson, with the tune added by an early church musician.
The melody has real range for a 6-hole ocarina, reaching up to a high E near the top of the instrument. Those top notes are the part to practice, since they need firmer breath to stay in tune, while the lower phrases sit comfortably. Take the climbs gently and the bright, rising shape of the tune comes through.
High on the Mountain Top Lyrics#
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion’s mount behold it stand;
For God remembers still
His promise made of old.
High on the Mountain Top Ocarina Tab#
| DHigh | Gon | Gthe | Gmoun | A-tain | Btop |
| AA | Bbann | D-er | Cis | Bun | A-furled |
| AYe | Bna | A-tions, | Bnow | Blook | Dup; |
| AIt | Gwaves | F#to | Eall | Ethe | Dworld |
| DIn | DDes | C-eret's | Bsweet, | Apeaceful | Bland |
| BOn | BZion's | Emount | Dbehold | Bit | Dstand |
| DFor | DGod | Cre | B-mem | A-bers | Gstill |