Go Rest High on That Mountain

One of the things the TV landscape will be losing when “American Idol” ends its farewell season is a public outlet for faith-inspired singers. Every season has at least some contestants who come from a church background, and who make their faith felt in subtle or overt ways. Several of the former top 10 – Mandisa and Colton Dixon, for instance – have gone on to successful careers in the Christian music industry (and I’ve been happy to interview them on “Christopher Closeup.”)

Last night’s show had another nice gospel-tinged performance with 15-year-old Tristan McIntosh’s performance of the Vince Gill classic “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Gill wrote the song following the death of his brother many years ago, so the melody and lyrics are soulful and bittersweet.

Due to time constraints, McIntosh sang a very short version of the song, so I’m posting both her version and Gill’s (joined by Allison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs) below.

Lyrics:

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.
I 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.