June 19, 2024
After country music singer Keith Whitley died at 35 in 1989, Vince Gill started writing “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” However, he only finished it after his older brother Bob died of a heart attack in 1993. The song, which is a personal expression of grief, won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award in 1996 and received two Grammy Awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song in the 38th Grammy Awards.
Countless people have told Gill how the song has comforted them in their loss. Some comments are:
“I sang that to my girlfriend two weeks before she died of brain cancer. For a short while, it brought her out of a trance, and she gave me a sweet smile.”
“I played this song at Father’s funeral after his battle with cancer. The lyrics were such a comfort to me and still are. Thank you, Vince Gill, for writing a song that touches so many.”
“I lost my oldest son to a heart defect. He was 25. I lost my wife 12 years later. I cannot listen to this without remembering them with love & kindness. What a beautiful ballad!”
“Lost my best friend today from Covid-19. He fought like hell to beat it, but after four hard weeks, he could hold on no more. Thank you, Lord, for giving Vince, Ricky and Patty to this wretched world so that we can see your light and know you have not forgotten us.”
Hear Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs sing “Go Rest High on That Mountain (https://youtu.be/6jXrmAKBBTU?si=SAi-nxN4wdPF0MrR).
Go Rest High on That Mountain
I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren’t afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain.
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on Earth is done,
Go to Heaven a-shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son.
Oh, how we cried the day you left us,
We gathered ’round your grave to grieve,
Wish I could see the angels’ faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing.
Go rest high on that mountain,
Son, your work on Earth is done.
Go to Heaven a-shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son.
You’re safely home in the arms of Jesus,
Eternal life, my brother’s found.
The day will come I know I’ll see him
In that sacred place, on holy ground.
Go rest high on that mountain
Son your work on Earth is done.
Go to Heaven a-shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son.
Songwriters: Vincent Grant Gill
Go Rest High on That Mountain lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
***
Sign Up for Healing Journey Messages
Receive a daily message to your email address.