According to Songfacts, Vince Gill started writing ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ after the passing of country musician Keith Whitley. He didn’t manage to finish it, but left it until his older brother died a few years later.

“I wrote this song, and I didn’t have any idea if anybody would want to hear it, or like it. All I wanted to do was grieve for him and celebrate his life. That’s how I always process grief—sit down with a guitar and make something up. Turns out that if anybody remembers any of my songs, it’ll be this one.”