Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and learned to play several instruments, including banjo and guitar before he started high school at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School. After he graduated, he played in a number of bluegrass bands. He debuted on the national scene with the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979, appearing on that band's album Can't Hold Back. Gill is the lead singer on their hit song, "Let Me Love You Tonight" (1980), which he was still performing in concert years later - thus, he said, confusing many fans who knew him only from his subsequent solo work. Gill appeared on two subsequent albums along with his then-wife Janis Oliver.
Departing Pure Prairie League in 1981, Gill joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band The Notorious Cherry Bombs, where he met and worked with Tony Brown and Emory Gordy Jr., both of whom would later produce many of his future solo albums.
Signing as a solo artist with RCA Records in 1983, he first charted while on that label. In 1989 he switched to MCA Records where he recorded his breakthrough hit "When I Call Your Name." His 1998 album The Key received great critical acclaim. His other albums include Next Big Thing (2003) and Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000). The Guitar Slinger Songfacts says that Gill released his twelfth studio album, Guitar Slinger, on October 25, 2011 via MCA Nashville. It was his manager, Larry Fitzgerald, who came up with the title, as he felt there was something different the way Gill was playing the guitar on the record.
Gill hosted the CMA Awards every year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 he received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 1997, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He married country singer Janis Oliver (of Sweethearts of the Rodeo fame) in 1980. The couple have one daughter, Jennifer Jerene Gill, born 5 May 1982. Vince and Janis separated in the mid-1990s and eventually divorced in June 1998. Vince later began dating and eventually married Christian/pop singer Amy Grant in March of 2000. They have one daughter, Corrina Grant Gill born 12 March 2001.
Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler was a fan of Gill's, and had asked Gill to join the band full time. Gill turned down the invitation but did sing backup on one song ("The Bug") from Dire Straits' album On Every Street.
Gill has also sung duets with numerous artists, including Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), Reba McEntire ("Oklahoma Swing," "The Heart Won't Lie," "It Just Has to Be That Way"), Amy Grant ("House of Love"), and Barbra Streisand ("If You Ever Leave Me"); his other credits as a backup vocalist have included "Girls With Guitars" by Wynonna Judd (written by Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who, coincidentally, had a country hit with her cover of "The Bug") and "Nothing Left Behind Us" by Richard Marx.
Go Rest High On That Mountain
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On earth was troubled
An only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You're no stranger to the rain
Go rest high on that mountain
'Cause Son your work on earth is doneGo 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
'Cause Son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a-shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son
Go rest high on that mountain
'Cause 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
Vince Gill's song Go Rest High On That Mountain is a heartfelt tribute to someone who has passed away. The first verse acknowledges the struggles and pain that the person faced in life, yet they were not afraid to confront their challenges with bravery in the face of illness or hardships. The second verse aims to console those left behind as they mourn and grieve the loss of someone dear to them. The chorus brings a message of hope that the person who has passed away will rest peacefully in heaven and that their work on earth is complete.
The song touches on the themes of death, loss, grief, and acceptance. It brings comfort to those who are suffering and encourages them to find solace in the thought that the departed loved one is resting in peace. The song also celebrates the life of the deceased and the impact they had on the people around them. The lyrics convey an emotional journey of coming to terms with death and the beauty of life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know your life
I understand the struggles you faced throughout your life
On earth was troubled
You experienced hardship while living on this earth
And only you could know the pain
The pain you felt was unique to you and only you could truly understand it
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You had the courage to confront any challenges or evil forces that came your way
You were no stranger to the rain
You were familiar with difficulties and hardships, even during times of sorrow
Go rest high on that mountain
May you find peace and rest in a higher place
Son your work on earth is done
Your time on this earth has come to an end and your legacy lives on
Go to heaven a-shoutin'
Enter heaven with exuberance and joy
Love for the Father and the Son
Your unwavering love for God and Jesus remains true, even in death
Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We grieved deeply when you passed away
We gathered 'round your grave to grieve
We came together to mourn and honor your memory at your gravesite
Wish I could see the angels faces
I imagine the angels rejoicing and being moved by your beautiful singing voice
When they hear your sweet voice sing
I believe your voice brings happiness and peace to those in heaven
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Vincent Grant Gill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonypatton2084
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 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
@dorothyhorton5592
My brother died of suicide in 1991. We had both witnessed our dad's suicide in 1957 when my brother was 3 and I was 7. This was devastating to me. When they committed these acts they both were 38 years old. Then I heard this song by Vince Gill. My dad and brother were both buried in our family cemetery on top of a hill in West Virginia. This song made me cry. I know the pain has to leave so the joy of the Lord comes in. My brother believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. I hope he went to heaven.
@agannon5762
God has mercy and Grace for us. God knows the pain your brother was in .
I'm so sorry.
@ViragoRiver
Your brother is in Paradise this very moment. This is not something you know with your brain.... it's something you know with your heart.... I know it with mine and I hope soon you can feel the comfort of this knowing filling your heart with surety that he is happy, he is love, he is home.
@vicferrari411
If he believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and was hurting so bad, I'm convinced he is in paradise pain free. Go live the life the good Lord wanted you to live. Live that life knowing everything, including your brother, is in his hands. That should give you peace. God Bless!
@bri.makuahine
Dorothy, I can't imagine your pain. But I hope that you can find peace in knowing that if your brother believed that Jesus is the Son of the living God, then there's no question that he is with Jesus.
@DarleneGullett
If he was a believer and born again he's in heaven
@doughertympd1
My brother was in an induced coma at the end of his battle with colon cancer. After 3 days vigil at his bedside I began to play a few songs from my phone on his pillow. This was the 4th song played and during the very last chord he took a deep breath and went home to be with the Lord. I know the timing was a direct witness from God to show me and those who hear this story that God is real. Keep the faith in peace and understanding.
@bigfatdummy
I'm so sorry for your loss... He's watching over you I'm sure...
@ronnieturner7885
My condolences. I feel your pain. Prayers for you and your family.
@paulanation283
Sending love. I’m a colon cancer survivor and this hurts so deeply