Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Overcoming Loss with “Go Rest High on that Mountain” by Vince Gill

Vince Gill's Go Rest High
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

With its uplifting message of eternal life, Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on that Mountain” has long been considered a multi-platinum-selling artist’s masterpiece, the one he himself is confident he’ll be most remembered for. 

And ever since its debut in 1994, it became a funeral and memorial service standard in the minds of many.

It Took Vince Gill Four Years To Finish Writing The Song 

Gill began writing the song in 1989, after the death of country singer Keith Whitley due to alcohol poisoning. The last line of the first verse comes with the title of Whitley’s biggest hit, “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.” 

“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,” Gill sings.

But Gill can’t find the right melody for it, and since he was only a casual friend of Keith Whitley, he felt awkward about even writing the song. “And so I put it away,” he said.

Four years later, a heart-breaking death in his family made him finish the song. His older brother, Bob, died of a heart attack, and grief made Gill retrieve the snippet of lyrics. “Then the ‘go rest high on that mountain’ [chorus] came,” he recalled. “Then, the second verse was obviously about my brother’s passing, and so away it went.”

Still, Gill had no intention of ever recording the song, but when long-time producer Tony Brown heard it, he talked Gill into it. 

“Go Rest High on that Mountain” debuted on Gill’s album When Love Finds You in 1994, and it was released as a single the next year. Though the song was only a modest hit on the Billboard chart, as it peaked at No. 14, it made a deep impression on fans and critics alike. 

“When people are hurting the most, in the worst place they can be, they’re reaching out to that. To that song. And that means way more to me than where it landed on the charts,” Gill said.

The CMA and Grammy awards came in 1996, and Gill’s interpretation also earned him another Grammy that year for Best Country Male Performance. A year later, “Go Rest High on that Mountain” was named BMI’s most-performed song.

Twenty-Five Years Later, Gill Added A Verse to This Timeless Classic 

Indeed, through the years, Gill has already lost count of the number of times he has sung “Go Rest on that Mountain” at “every hillbilly singer’s and friend’s funeral.” And it’s been that never-ending succession of performances, he said that eventually made him feel like something was missing.

“In all seriousness, as I looked at it as a piece of work, I thought it was unfinished in a way that a song should close the door and have an end and tell the whole story,” he said.

As legions of fans may know, the first verse is a sober acknowledgment of the end of a troubled life. The second verse, on the other hand, expresses grief at the same time assurance of life after death. Now, the new verse comes with the blessed promise of a happy reunion in heaven: “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 that holy ground.”

As much as “Go Rest High on that Mountain” means to its listeners, Gill said the song means even more to him — “so much more than they could ever comprehend.”

“You know, a hit song’s a hit song,” he said, “and people like it and they sing, and they dance to it, whatever. But when they lean on something you’ve done, that has a much deeper kind of connection. It’s so much cooler than any hit record I’ve ever had.”

You can watch Vince Gill’s performance of “Go Rest High on that Mountain” in the video below.

Latest Stories

Rascal Flatts and the Jonas Brothers collaborate on 'I Dare You,' a powerful heartbreak anthem, ahead of Rascal Flatts' 25th Anniversary Life Is a Highway Tour.

Rascal Flatts and Jonas Brothers Collaborate on New Song “I Dare You”

Rascal Flatts may have built their legacy on heartfelt country anthems. Still, their latest collaboration proves they’re not afraid to shake things up. The iconic trio has teamed up with ...

Cody Johnson opens up about learning to be romantic with his wife, Brandi, after 15 years of marriage, emphasizing the importance of simple gestures.

Cody Johnson Shares How He Learned to Be Romantic With His Wife Brandi

Cody Johnson might be a country music powerhouse, but he’s just a husband trying to get it right at home. Married to his wife, Brandi, since 2008, Johnson has spent ...

Luke Bryan Says Beyonce Is The Greatest Singer Of All Time

Luke Bryan Just Called Beyoncé “The Greatest Singer of Our Lifetime”

Luke Bryan poured gasoline on an already blazing fire by calling Beyoncé “the greatest singer in our lifetime.” As Cowboy Carter continues to divide country music fans, Bryan’s comments feel ...

At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé, dressed in a champagne-colored gown, sits wide-eyed and open-mouthed in her seat, displaying visible shock as Taylor Swift announces her as the winner for Best Country Album. In the background, Kacey Musgraves, wearing a white tank top, claps with a neutral expression, her face showing no visible emotion.

The Real Reason Beyoncé Won a Grammy for Best Country Album

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter winning Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys was never about the music. It was about power, control, and pushing an agenda unrelated to country music. The ...

Whoopi Goldberg passionately defends Beyoncé's Grammy win for Best Country Album on 'The View.' Seated at the show's panel, Goldberg gestures emphatically, her expression animated as she addresses the camera. She wears a patterned blouse and round glasses, conveying determination. Co-hosts listen attentively, and the studio backdrop features 'The View' logo. Goldberg's body language underscores her firm stance against critics of Beyoncé's achievement.

Whoopi Goldberg Sides With Beyoncé’s Country Grammy Win and Tells Critics to “Sit Down”

Whoopi Goldberg has a long history of running her mouth without understanding the issue. Still, this time, she’s stomping all over country music like it’s just another Hollywood punchline. On ...

Wynonna Judd raising her granddaughter Kaliyah as her daughter Grace Kelley navigates ongoing legal challenges.

Wynonna Judd Reveals She’s Raising Her Granddaughter After Daughter’s Legal Troubles

In two weeks, Wynonna Judd’s world changed forever. She lost her mother. She became a grandmother. And somewhere in the middle of grief and joy, she stepped into a role ...

Alan Jackson's fans on his Last Call tour go viral for dressing in Chattahoochee-inspired outfits, catching the attention of Jackson himself.

Alan Jackson Fans Go Viral for Dressing in “Chattahoochee” Outfits at Concert

Alan Jackson’s “Last Call: One More for the Road” tour has been an emotional farewell for fans who have spent decades following his legendary career. With this being his final ...

Randy Travis releases 'Horses in Heaven,' his second AI-assisted single, blending nostalgia, faith, and classic country storytelling to fans' delight.

Randy Travis’ New Single “Horses in Heaven” Is Touching Hearts Everywhere

Randy Travis has done it again. The country legend just released his brand-new single, “Horses in Heaven,” marking his second new song in over a decade. Fans have been eagerly ...

A TikTok singer reimagines Eric Church's 'Springsteen' from a female perspective, captivating fans and earning praise from Eric himself, sparking hopes for a full version.

TikTok Singer’s Version of “Springsteen” Is Taking the Internet by Storm

Eric Church’s Springsteen isn’t just a song—it’s a feeling. It’s the track that instantly transports you back to when love was young, summer nights felt endless, and a single song ...

Chris Stapleton delivers powerhouse performances of 'South Dakota' and 'It Takes a Woman' on Austin City Limits, celebrating the show's 50th anniversary season.

Chris Stapleton Delivers Stunning ‘Austin City Limits’ Performances of ‘South Dakota’ and ‘It Takes a Woman’

Chris Stapleton never does anything halfway, and his latest appearance on Austin City Limits proves just that. The long-running PBS show is celebrating its 50th anniversary season, and they brought ...