The “Funeral Anthem” That Vince Gill Holds Near and Dear to His Heart

Vince Gill has released a wealth of timeless music since he dropped his debut single “Victim of Life’s Circumstances” in 1984. However, one song stands out among them. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” has been played at countless funerals and never fails to coax tears from the eyes of even the most hardened listeners. However, it’s more than just a great song. It’s a tribute to Gill’s late brother Bob.

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Gill performed during a Memorial Day concert special in 2021. Ahead of the performance, he took questions from fans on social media. During that social media Q&A session, he revealed why “Go Rest High on that Mountain” means so much to him and why he enjoys playing it.

[RELATED: The Story Behind the Song Vince Gill Struggled to Sing at George Jones’ Funeral, “Go Rest High on That Mountain”]

Vince Gill on the Significance of Playing “Go Rest High on That Mountain”

“Getting to perform ‘Go Rest High on That Mountain’ is an opportunity, every time I get to sing it not only to honor my brother—the reason it was written—but to also provide some comfort for people who have dealt with loss,” Vince Gill explained.

“This song has become somewhat of an anthem at funerals all of the country,” he said of the song’s popularity. Some artists might balk at their songs being associated with loss. However, Gill is happy that he can help those who are grieving. “That makes me feel so grateful, that people when they’re struggling, in their hardest of times, that they might reach out to this song to provide a little comfort,” he said.

The Story Behind the Tear-Jerker

Vince Gill wrote “Go Rest High on That Mountain” after his older brother Bob died of a heart attack in 1993. “I wrote this song, and I didn’t have any idea if anybody would want to hear it or like it,” Gill said. “All I wanted to do was grieve for him and celebrate his life,” he added. “Turns out if anybody remembers any of my songs, it’ll be this one.”

Gill went on to say that he often processes grief by sitting down with his guitar and writing something. They don’t all turn into top-20 hits, though.

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