When I Get Where I'm Going – English Lyrics

• By: Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the comforting embrace of "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton. This song is a beautiful entry point for language learners, as its clear, heartfelt lyrics offer a gentle yet powerful exploration of themes like hope, love, and the afterlife. You can learn vocabulary related to emotions, spirituality, and personal connections, all while experiencing a truly moving piece of country music. Its simple yet profound message makes it special, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the language through shared human experiences of loss and comfort.

[English]

♪ 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 going to 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 ♪

♪ Yeah, when I get where I'm going ♪

♪ Well, 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 grandaddy ♪

♪ And he'll match me step for step ♪

♪ And I'll tell him how I've missed him ♪

♪ Every minute since he left ♪

♪ And then I'll hug his neck ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ So much pain and so much darkness ♪

♪ In this world we stumble through ♪

♪ All these questions I can't answer ♪

♪ And 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 ♪

♪ Oh, when I get where I'm going ♪

♪ There'll be only happy tears ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ I will love and have no fear ♪

♪ (Ah-woo) when I get where I'm going ♪

- Hi there y'all! (laughing)

C'mon in! Rock a while.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
land /lænd/ B1	verb - to arrive at a place, especially after a journey noun - the surface of the earth in a particular area
wings /wɪŋz/ B1	noun - the movable extensions of a bird or insect used for flying
struggles /ˈstrʌg.əlz/ B2	noun - difficulties or efforts to overcome problems
grace /ɡreɪs/ B2	noun - elegance or beauty of movement or form; divine favor
maker /ˈmeɪ.kər/ C1	noun - a person or thing that makes or produces something
tears /tɪərz/ B1	noun - the drops of liquid that come from the eyes when crying
open /ˈoʊ.pən/ A2	adjective - not closed or blocked; able to be entered or accessed
fear /fɪər/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by threat or danger
darkness /ˈdɑːr.knəs/ B2	noun - absence of light
question /ˈkwes.tʃən/ B2	noun - a sentence or phrase used to ask something
work /wɜːrk/ A2	noun - task, effort, or employment verb - to do a task or be active
shine /ʃaɪn/ B2	verb - to produce light or be bright