closest to heaven

They shut the door

Pulled the shade, told us the news

Now, it wasn't long 'til the pastor came

Read a red line from Luke

Granddaddy said, "I'm probably damned

From the damn things I've done"

Then he grabbed grandma's hand

And in front of everyone

He told her

"The closest to Heaven that I'll ever be

Is somewhere with you under a big old oak tree

If it's hellfire or streets of gold

Don't know where I'm gonna go

But if one thing I know, I believe

Honey, you're the closest to Heaven

That I'll ever be"

Then he said, "I was noddin' off

Whiskey on my breath

In a pinewood back pew

I only talked to God every now and then

To thank Him for you

Guess He knew what He was doin'

When He sent you my way

You were the only chance I ever had

At ever bein' saved"

Yeah, the closest to Heaven that I'll ever be

Is somewhere with you under a big old oak tree

If it's hellfire or streets of gold

Don't know where I'm gonna go

But if one thing I know, I believe

Honey, you're the closest to Heaven

That I'll ever be

21 guns, folded flag in her lap

One headstone blank

Next to one etched in black

And it reads

"The closest to Heaven that I'll ever be

Is somewhere with you under a big old oak tree

If it's hellfire or streets of gold

Don't know where I'm gonna go

But if one thing I know, I believe

Honey, you're the closest to Heaven

That I'll ever be

Honey, you're the closest to Heaven

That I'll ever be"