Fans have reacted differently to Jennifer Nettles’ decision to change one of the lyrics while performing Vince Gill’s Go Rest High on That Mountain during an emotional tribute to those lost on 9/11 in New York City.

Nettles performed the country classic at the 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony on Sept. 11, singing for families who lost loved ones in the attacks and their aftermath. Backed by Emily Fink and Naomi Serrano on vocals and Adam Rothenberg on piano, Nettles delivered a deeply emotional performance that left many viewers in tears.

But some fans quickly noticed that Nettles changed the final lines of the song.

Instead of singing the original lyrics, “Go to heaven a-shoutin’ / Love for the Father and the Son,” Nettles sang, “Go to heaven shoutin’ / A loving daughter, a loving son.”

The change sparked questions from some viewers who were familiar with Gill’s original version. One fan wrote, “This was beautiful, however, why the change in lyrics?” Another noted, “That sounded really beautiful but those aren’t the lyrics that Vince Gill wrote.”

Others understood the reason behind the change and felt it made the tribute more personal to the 2,997 people who died on 9/11, honoring both the men and women who were lost. One viewer explained, “For those not understanding why one line was changed, there were women and men murdered tragically that day. So the change was made to honor both.”

Another fan said the new wording was “appropriate” because it honored the “daughters and sons” families had spent 25 years grieving. However, some viewers still preferred the original religious reference, with one commenting, “Beautiful, but don’t remove God the Father and the Son.”

Jennifer Nettles Explains The Emotional Meaning Behind Her Performance

Nettles later shared her own thoughts about the performance, explaining how difficult it was to sing in front of families carrying so much grief.

“Today marks the 25th anniversary of 09/11,” she wrote. “I had the privilege today of singing for the surviving families of the people who died that day, or as a result of that day.”

She reflected on how people who lived through 9/11 still remember exactly where they were when the attacks happened.

“It is always hard to sing within the presence of, and while holding, such emotion. So many sad hearts in front of you,” Nettles wrote. “Emotion ‘catches in your throat’ as they say. The voice is sacredly situated between the head and the heart.”

She added that, despite the pain, music can help people connect with their emotions and find comfort.

“And that is precisely why, even though it may be hard, we must sing through the sadness,” she wrote. “It was my honor to try and offer comfort and connection to these precious people.”

Nettles also thanked Gill for writing what she called “such an amazing modern hymn” and for giving her his blessing to perform Go Rest High on That Mountain during the ceremony. She also thanked Fink, Serrano and Rothenberg for joining her.

Fans Share Emotional Reactions

The performance brought back painful memories for many viewers, with several saying the song had also been part of their own family funerals. One fan wrote, “This song always gives me chills. It was played at my husbands funeral.”

Another shared, “I used to sing in a gospel group & we sung go rest high but I never could make it without ugly crying.”

Many others praised Nettles and the singers for the emotional tribute. “Beautifully performed,” one viewer wrote, while another said, “I sobbed as you sang, it was so touching and beautiful.”

For some fans, the lyric change made the moment even more meaningful. “Love the honor of both men and women,” one viewer wrote, while another said, “I thought the word change was appropriate and I hope it gave the families some peace.”