They shut the door
Pulled the shade, told us the news
Now, it wasn't long till 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