When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly
I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here
Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going (Official Video) ft. Dolly Parton
When I Get Where I'm Going Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Brad Paisley's collaboration with Dolly Parton on "When I Get Where I'm Going" is more than just a country song; it's a tender, heartfelt reflection on eternal hope, resonating deeply with listeners who ponder what lies beyond this life. From the first gentle notes, there's an immediate sense of peace and anticipation, inviting us into a contemplation of heaven not as a distant, abstract concept, but as a tangible, joyful destination. The song paints a vivid picture of release from earthly burdens – no more tears, no more pain, a return to youthful vigor, even the playful image of having wings. This imagery beautifully mirrors the biblical promises of a new heaven and a new earth where, as Revelation 21:4 assures us, God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." The song captures the profound longing for a place where sorrow is vanquished and only perfect peace remains.
One of the most moving aspects of the song is the anticipation of reunion. It speaks of seeing loved ones who have gone before, finally meeting them again in a place of perfect understanding and joy. This hope echoes the Christian belief in the communion of saints and the promise of gathering together in the presence of Christ. While the Bible's primary focus on meeting in glory is our encounter with Jesus and fellow believers united in Him, the recognition and fellowship among believers are certainly implied in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which speaks of being "caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." The song taps into that fundamental human desire for connection and the comforting assurance that relationships rooted in love and faith are not ultimately severed by death.
Beyond the reunion with loved ones, the song culminates in the ultimate hope for every believer: seeing Jesus face-to-face. The line about falling to one's knees upon seeing Him encapsulates a core element of Christian worship and future hope. This is the glorious promise found in Scripture, particularly in 1 John 3:2, which states, "when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." The unveiled presence of Christ is the central glory of heaven, and the song rightly places this encounter as the pinnacle of the journey. It's a moment of awe, reverence, and finally, complete fulfillment of the longing to be with the One who saved us.
The song’s depiction of physical and spiritual renewal – being young again, having wings – speaks to the transformative power of entering God's presence. While the literal form our resurrected bodies will take is a mystery, the Bible promises a glorious, immortal, and powerful transformation (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 53-54; Philippians 3:20-21). The song simplifies this complex truth into relatable, hopeful images that resonate with the desire for freedom from the limitations and decay of our earthly bodies. It's a reminder that the journey to heaven is not just an arrival, but a complete renewal, a shedding of the old and an embracing of a perfected self in God's presence. "When I Get Where I'm Going" serves as a beautiful, accessible melody of biblical hope, reminding us that for those who believe, the end of this earthly road is not a final curtain, but the glorious beginning of eternal life, peace, reunion, and the unveiled presence of our Lord. It's a song that encourages the soul and points towards the ultimate destination of faith.
