C    Cmaj7    Am    Cmaj7   

C                      Cmaj7
Closest I've ever been to meetin' Jesus was when
Am                             G                            F
Me and Bobby Pinson put up our pink slips on Blue Hole Road
C                         Cmaj7
My needle showin' ninety, I flew right by him
Am                             F
Lighting fast 'til I had a bad Goodyear blow
         F                                      G
That ol' Chevy --- rolled and rolled and I know heaven
        F                                       G
Must've heart the words beneath my breath and I thank God
  F           C   G
I ain't there yet

[Chorus]
C                                     G
That's the closest I've ever been to, never seein' my momma again
Am                                   F                           G
Found out quick how precious life is drive my new truck a little slower than I did
C                                   G
That's the smallest I've ever felt, that's the furthest I've ever fell
Am             G                 F
Not too far to find out how life ends, --- that's the closest I've ever been

[Solo]
C    Cmaj7/B    Am/C    Cmaj7   

C                      Cmaj7
Closest I've ever been to bein' the devil's friend was when
Am/C                         G           F
Shelly gave in to me and him down by the river
C                                  Cmaj7
I gave her my heart and my jacket, still ain't got 'em back yet
Am/C                            F
She left me hurtin' and search- in' for love or liquor or whatever
             G                         F
Quicker than I could say sin I slipped further in than I was plannin'
G                               Am                            G/B
I never shook the devil's hand, but I drank his whiskey and I loved his women

[Chorus]
C                                     G
That's the closest I've ever been to, tellin' God to hell with Him
Am                                          F                         G
Goin' down in flames, and layin' the blame, why would He ever let her walk away
C                                   G
That's the smallest I've ever felt, that's the furthest I've ever fell
    Am              G           F                                             C         G
But not too far for God to for- give, and I thank God that's the closest I've ever been

D      E       F       A Bb        C       D       G D
Got it all be- hind me and every day I'm findin'
        F             C              F
Another way to be the best man I can 

[Outro]
                         C         Cmaj7
And I'm the closest I've ever been
             Am/C      Cmaj7
Closest I've ever been
C       Cmaj7          Am/C Cmaj7 C9
Closest I've ever been