The holy hills of Heaven call me
To mansions bright across the sea
Where loved ones wait and crowns are given
When the hills of home keep calling me
This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free
I'll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me
I see loved ones over yonder
Tears are gone and hearts are free
And from the throne king Jesus beckons
Oh the hills of home are calling me
This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free and
I'll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me
When the hills of home start calling me
The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me
The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me," performed by Kim Hopper, captures a deep longing for the afterlife from a Christian perspective. Released in video format on September 7, 2012, the song resonates within the Southern Gospel genre, a style known for its focus on themes of salvation, heaven, and the Christian journey. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the ultimate destination, portraying heaven as a place of "mansions bright across the sea," where believers will be reunited with "loved ones" and receive "crowns." This imagery establishes heaven not just as an abstract concept, but as a tangible, desirable home.
A central theme explored in the song is the transient nature of the earthly body compared to the eternal soul. The lyrics describe the physical body as a temporary "house of flesh," a "prison" with "bars of bone" and "doors of clay." This stark depiction emphasizes the limitations and frailties of mortal existence. However, this is contrasted with the powerful anticipation of release. The moment of death is presented not as an end, but as a liberation, when "the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open" and "the angel sets my spirit free." The soul's departure is likened to the soaring "flight like a mighty eagle," symbolizing freedom, strength, and ascension towards the heavenly realm.
The longing for heaven is intensified by the vision of what awaits there. The song speaks of seeing "loved ones over yonder," who are free from suffering, where "tears are gone and hearts are free." This promise of reunion and eternal peace is a source of comfort and motivation. Furthermore, the presence of Jesus is highlighted, with "King Jesus beckons" from His throne. This direct reference to the divine invitation underscores the personal nature of the call to heaven and the ultimate goal of being in Christ's presence. The recurring refrain, "the hills of home keep calling me," acts as a powerful reminder of this spiritual pull and the enduring hope of reaching that eternal dwelling place.
The lyrical themes align with several core beliefs found in Christian scripture. The concept of heaven as a place of "mansions" is echoed in John 14:2, where Jesus speaks of preparing a place for believers. The idea of receiving "crowns" appears in various biblical passages referencing rewards for faithfulness (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4). The depiction of the earthly body as temporary and the anticipation of a spiritual release resonates with passages like 2 Corinthians 5:1, which describes the earthly tent being replaced by an eternal house. The promise of freedom from tears and sorrow in heaven is found in Revelation 21:4. Ultimately, the song conveys a message of profound hope and the anticipation of a glorious future beyond the constraints of the physical world, emphasizing that the call to heaven is a call home to eternal peace and divine presence.
