G (X8)


[Verse 1]
G                                         C            G
Well I was just a boy the first time that I saw Birmingham
                                 A7            D7
Walking down the streets holding on to Momma's hand
       G                         C             G
When I bumped into a wino with a bottle in his hand
   C               G      E7     A7       D7      G
He staggered up to listen to the preacher and the band

[Verse 2]
G                                    C               G
He had a parking meter for the alter of his sidewalk church
                                        A7             D7
The old base drum that was his band the worst I'd ever heard
          G                       C             G
And I can still see that old wino   down on his knees
C              G       E7  A7      D7        G
As he gave his soul to God when he heard him preach

[Chorus]
G                                          C                  G
He said heaven ain't a honky tonk and them pearly gates don't swing
                                     A7          D7
The clouds ain't made of alcohol but angels have wings
         G                                C                 G
When the roll is called up yonder all you sinners are gonna see
     C              G     E7            A7     D7          G     G
That heaven ain't a honky tonk and them pearly gates don't swing

[Solo]
| G | G | C | G |

| G | G | A | D |

| G | G | C | G |

| C | G E7 | A D | G | G

[Verse 3]
                             C              G
Well all alone in Birmingham I'm down on my knees
                             A7            D7
Wishing I had momma's hand a holding on to me
            G                          C                    G
Well I been drinking all my life and I haven't quenched the thirst
        C               G      E7          A7     D7       G
For the kind of peace I seldom find at the little sidewalk church

[Chorus]
G                                          C                  G
He said heaven ain't a honky tonk and them pearly gates don't swing
                                     A7          D7
The clouds ain't made of alcohol but angels have wings
         G                                C                 G
When the roll is called up yonder all you sinners are gonna see
     C              G     E7            A7     D7          G
That heaven ain't a honky tonk and them pearly gates don't swing

[Outro]
C              G     E7            A7     D7          G     G
Heaven ain't a honky tonk and them pearly gates don't swing