Composer’s Note

In 2017, my dear friend Danette said goodbye to nine family members. With their memory in mind, she commissioned this arrangement of When We All Get to Heaven to accompany a tribute video at a family gathering in September. There is always sadness in watching a loved one depart, but believers have hope that we will all be together again.

I love arranging hymns for piano solo because I enjoy the creative process of making music convey the message of the associated lyrics. In this arrangement, the opening motive of four descending notes is taken from first full measure of the refrain’s melody. It reappears throughout the arrangement to remind us that one day we will all get to heaven. This setting begins in a more somber mood than most of us are used to hearing, playing, or singing this hymn. This is meant to evoke longing and deep reflection. We reflect on the wondrous love of Jesus, his mercy, and his grace while we long for the place he is preparing for us. 

The second stanza, beginning in meas. 21, paints a picture the pilgrim pathway and the clouds overspreading the sky by hinting at a minor key. The chorus here is a bit brighter than its first appearance, highlighting the difference between life and afterlife.

Measure 40 begins the third stanza, which is marked Risoluto. Let us then be true and faithful. Then in meas. 44, which is perhaps my favorite part of the entire arrangement, just one glimpse of him in glory comes softly with a surprise key change. I thought of how awe-inspiring it will be to finally see Jesus face to face and wanted to capture that in this moment.

Without a restatement of the chorus, we are ushered into the fourth stanza with more motion as we move onward to the prize before us. The arrangement grows a bit more before it winds back down to the reflective mood of the beginning. The descending four-note motive returns and takes us into eternity.