WHAT MAKES IT A HIT "When I Get Where I'm Going"
Written by: Rivers Rutherford and George Teren
Recorded by: Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton
“When I Get Where I’m Going” was a #1 hit in 2005 for Brad Paisley, and featured Dolly Parton on background vocals. It is one of my personal favorites for many of reasons. While this song was a #1 record on country radio, it is an inspirational lyric with the hopeful Christian message of what heaven will be like. I think Rivers Rutherford and George Teren did a fine job relaying that message.
Heaven is the ultimate hope for the Christian. The believer lives with the knowledge that this world is not all there is, and one day this earthly life, along with its troubles and trials, will end. That ending is a new beginning of eternity in heaven with Jesus.
In the first verse we hear,
“The first thing that I’m gonna do is spread my wings and fly:”
This line describes the freedom that the author will feel when he has shed his earthly shell and let his spirit soar into eternity. What a relief. Every time I hear this song, that line puts a smile on my face.
“I’m gonna land beside a lion and run my fingers through his mane.”
The second verse speaks of a new kind of peace, where we will reside in harmony with what was once considered a wild animal. We will be able to do things in heaven that were unheard of on planet earth.
The chorus speaks of letting go of imperfections:
“I will shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years.”
The author feels his flawed humanity and looks forward to the time when he will no longer deal with the weight of this burden.
“When I get where I’m going don’t cry for me down here.”
We may grieve the loss we feel when the author leaves this world, but we won’t need to grieve for him. He’s happy and enjoying his new life in heaven.
Brad Paisley has often spoken of how close he was to his grandfather, so the line, “I’m gonna walk with my granddaddy” is especially poignant. We have the hope of seeing other believers in heaven, and knowing that we will see loved ones is even more precious.
The bridge speaks of the “all these questions I can’t answer.” This gets the listener’s attention because everyone has questions that can’t be answered in this life. What a relief when that will no longer be an issue.
The final verse gets right down to it with:
“When I get to where I’m going and I see my maker’s face,
I’ll stand forever in the light of his amazing grace.”
There it is. The heart of the message. Simply and elegantly stated.
“When I Get To Where I’m Going” was a hit song primarily because it evokes an emotional response from the listener for all the right reasons. The thought of shedding the burdens of this life, of being with loved ones, and being with Jesus gets right to the listener’s heart.
The lyric reads like a letter to a friend. There are no unnecessary words or phrases.
Musically, the melody feels conversational, which makes the message even more accessible. Dolly Parton’s wonderful harmonies takes the song to an even higher plane. What a winning combination.
"When I Get Where I'm Going" Lyrics
When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly
I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
[Chorus]
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here
I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck
[Repeat chorus]
So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do
But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Written by: Rivers Rutherford and George Teren
