Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain Lyrics
Lyrics
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.
Go to heaven a-shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son.
Video
Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Vince Gill’s "Go Rest High On That Mountain," with its official music video released on October 7, 2009, stands as a powerful testament to faith and the enduring hope found in Christ amidst profound loss. This moving song was born from deep personal sorrow, primarily following the death of Gill’s older brother, Bob Coen, in 1993, and earlier, the passing of fellow musician Keith Whitley. These twin tragedies clearly shaped a lyrical narrative that not only grapples with the pain of separation but also points resolutely towards the solace of eternal rest promised to believers.
The opening lines immediately draw us into a world of human struggle and empathy: "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." This is a poignant acknowledgment of the difficult realities many individuals face, reminiscent of the universal truth shared in John 16:33, where Jesus tells His followers, "In this world you will have trouble." The imagery of facing "the devil" and being "no stranger to the rain" paints a picture of someone who endured significant adversity, battling spiritual or worldly trials with courage, much like the righteous who are tested by the fires of life. It speaks to a life lived through hardship, a journey marked by personal challenges known intimately only to the individual.
The chorus then delivers the song’s central message of comfort and heavenly triumph: "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." This invitation to "rest high on that mountain" transcends mere sleep; it evokes the profound peace and elevation of entering God's eternal presence, a place where earthly toil ceases. This resonates deeply with Hebrews 4:9, which speaks of "a Sabbath-rest for the people of God," and Revelation 14:13, declaring, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.'" The declaration that "your work on earth is done" is not a dismissal of life's purpose but an affirmation of completion, a transition from earthly service to heavenly reward. The imagery of going "to heaven a-shoutin' / Love for the Father and the Son" is incredibly powerful, painting a picture not of quiet passing but of joyous, triumphant arrival and worship, echoing the heavenly throngs described in Revelation 7:9-12 who cry out "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
The second verse brings the raw, human experience of grief to the forefront: "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." This acknowledges the legitimate pain of loss, a sorrow that even Jesus experienced, as recorded in John 11:35 when "Jesus wept" at Lazarus's tomb. The communal act of grieving around a grave highlights the shared burden of sorrow, yet the subsequent longing to "see the angels' faces" transforms this grief into hopeful anticipation. It beautifully contrasts earthly sorrow with heavenly joy, imagining the celestial welcome given to a redeemed soul. This idea is wonderfully supported by Luke 15:10, where Jesus says, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents," which certainly extends to a believer entering eternal glory, welcomed with songs of praise and celebration. The thought of a departed loved one's "sweet voice sing" in heaven affirms the continuation of individual identity and purpose in eternal worship.
Ultimately, "Go Rest High On That Mountain" is a profound declaration of Christian hope in the face of death. It offers genuine solace to those who mourn, reminding us that while our hearts ache with loss, a glorious transition awaits those who belong to Christ. The song meticulously weaves together the realities of human suffering with the unwavering promises of God—promises of rest, peace, and eternal worship. It encourages all who hear it to fix their eyes on the enduring hope of heaven, where earthly troubles cease, and the redeemed join in an eternal chorus of praise to the Father and the Son. This is a song that doesn't just soothe; it strengthens faith and points to the ultimate victory found in Christ.