Hank Thompson - I've Come Awful Close

I've Come Awful Close

Hank Thompson performs "I've Come Awful Close" on Hee Haw.

Henry William Thompson (September 3, 1925 – November 6, 2007) was an American country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades.

Thompson's musical style, characterized as honky tonk Western swing, was a mixture of fiddles, electric guitar and steel guitar that featured his distinctive, smooth baritone vocals.

His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the top Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard. The primary difference between his music and that of Bob Wills was that Thompson, who used the swing beat and instrumentation to enhance his vocals, discouraged the intense instrumental soloing from his musicians that Wills encouraged; however, the "Hank Thompson sound" exceeded Bob Wills in Top 40 country hits.

Although not as prominent on the top country charts in later decades, Thompson remained a recording artist and concert draw well into his 80s.

The 1987 novel Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb was inspired by Thompson's life, specifically by his practice of picking up a local band to back him when he toured. In 2009 Cobb's novel was turned into a successful film directed by Scott Cooper and starring Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges

Hank Thompson I've Come Awful Close lyrics

Well never once, have I cheated on my baby.

I'm a travelin' man; I go from coast to coast.

Everywhere from San Diego to New York City,

I never done you wrong, but I've come awful close.

Well, I met a little peach when I was in Columbus, Georgia,

Sittin' in the booth next to mine in the little cafe.

All that I did was just buy her a cup of coffee.

I had a heck of a time, but I pulled myself away.

I've come awful close, nearly almost.

I got a-right next to it, but I couldn't do it.

Heaven knows, I've come awful close.

Well, I pulled into an all night stop in Albuquerque.

A cute little waitress brought me my ham and rye.

She winked and said, "I get off at seven thirty."

Well, I might have stayed, but I told that gal, "Goodbye!"

So, honey, don't you worry about your daddy.

Just scramble my eggs, and don't you burn my toast.

I'm rolling now; should make it home by Friday.

Lots of guys would have done it, but I just come close.

I've come awful close, nearly almost.

I got a-right next to it, but I couldn't do it.

Heaven knows, I've come awful close.

Yeah, I come close, honey, but I'm rollin' in on home,

So put on that fresh pot of coffee.  Tell you what,

Go in and get a steak out of the freezer, 

And we'll open up  bottle of that good Napa Valley wine—have ourselves a good time!

[Fades]

You know that is rollin' in on home, baby.

Come awful close, but I never done you wrong, you know that, honey...