To the world, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” is one of Vince Gill’s most powerful and beloved songs—a timeless anthem of grief, faith, and farewell. But few knew the depth of pain behind its creation… until now. In a rare and deeply emotional moment, Vince Gill has finally opened up about the unspeakable loss that inspired the song—and why it took him years to finish writing it.
“I started the song after Keith Whitley died,” Vince shared in a recent interview, his voice thick with emotion. “He was a friend, and when he passed in 1989, I was shattered. I sat down and wrote the first verse right away—but I couldn’t go any further.”
For years, the song sat unfinished—too heavy, too personal, too painful to complete. It wasn’t until Vince’s older brother Bob Gill passed away in 1993 after a long battle with heart problems and cerebral palsy that Vince finally found the courage to finish what he had started.
“It all came pouring out,” Vince admitted. “Every line was like a knife through the heart. I wasn’t just writing about Keith anymore—I was writing about my brother, about my family, about saying goodbye to someone you love with your whole soul.”
Released in 1995, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” became an instant classic, earning CMA and Grammy awards and becoming a staple at funerals and memorials around the world. But for Vince, it has always remained more than just a song.
“I cry almost every time I sing it,” he said. “Not because it’s sad—but because it’s real. It came from a place of raw, unbearable grief, and I think that’s why it connects with people. We’ve all lost someone we didn’t want to say goodbye to.”
The song’s haunting melody, paired with Vince’s tender vocals and the angelic harmonies of Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs, created a spiritual moment that transcends genre. But few fans ever knew how deeply personal those lyrics were.
“When I say, ‘Go rest high on that mountain, Son, your work on earth is done,’ I’m singing to my brother,” Vince revealed, his eyes welling up. “That was for him.”
In the years since its release, the song has taken on a life of its own—sung at the funerals of public figures, military heroes, and beloved family members across the globe. Vince has performed it at tributes for George Jones, Charlie Daniels, and even Merle Haggard, each time channeling the pain and love that birthed the song.
Now, decades later, Vince Gill says he’s finally made peace with the song that once brought him to his knees. “It still hurts,” he said. “But now I know that pain can also be a gift—because it reminds us just how deeply we loved.”
And that’s what “Go Rest High on That Mountain” truly is—not just a song of loss, but a song of love that refuses to fade.