Introduction
Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain” is one of those rare country songs that seems to hold people up in their hardest moments. He began writing it after the death of his friend Keith Whitley in 1989, then finished it in 1993 after losing his brother, Bob—two losses that shaped the song’s soul and purpose.
Released as a single on August 28, 1995, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” quickly became a modern standard and a touchstone at funerals, memorials, and quiet nights of remembrance. Even with its success, Gill often said it felt just a little incomplete—as if the story needed one more turn to close the circle.
The “missing” piece: a third verse (2019)
In 2019, during a performance at the Ryman (one of his Christmas shows with Amy Grant), Gill unveiled a third verse—a few tender lines that deepen the song’s message of reunion and peace. For years, fans could only hear that extra verse live; it was never on the original recording.
New today (Sept 12, 2025): the extended version
To mark the song’s 30th anniversary, Vince has finally recorded and released an extended version that includes the third verse. It arrived on September 12, 2025, giving listeners the most complete version of “Go Rest High” he’s ever shared.
Why this matters
Songs tied to real grief tend to evolve as their writers do. By adding the third verse and committing it to tape three decades later, Gill acknowledges that mourning—and the hope we find inside it—doesn’t end on a release date. It grows with us. The extended version also celebrates the song’s endurance: “Go Rest High on That Mountain” is now RIAA double-platinum, a status few meditative ballads ever reach.
Where to hear it
You can listen to “Go Rest High on That Mountain (Extended Version)” on major platforms now, including YouTube and Spotify.