About the song
“Seven Spanish Angels” is a hauntingly beautiful song steeped in the rich tradition of country music. Composed by Troy Seals and Eddie Setser, the song found its perfect voice in a legendary duet between country icons Willie Nelson and Ray Charles. Released in 1984, it transcended genre boundaries, becoming a chart-topping hit and a poignant testament to love, loss, and faith.
The song’s title itself sparks intrigue. The identity of the “Seven Spanish Angels” remains shrouded in mystery, adding an ethereal quality to the narrative. Some interpret them as the posse pursuing the couple, while others see them as celestial beings offering solace in the face of tragedy. This ambiguity allows listeners to weave their own interpretations, drawing them deeper into the emotional tapestry of the song.
Lyrically, “Seven Spanish Angels” unfolds a desperate tale of an outlaw and his lover on the run. As the relentless pursuit closes in, the couple faces an impossible choice – surrender or fight. The lyrics, poignantly delivered by Nelson and Charles, capture the raw emotions of their situation – fear, defiance, and a desperate clinging to hope.
In their final moments, the couple finds solace in their love for each other and a fragile belief in divine intervention. The imagery of the “altar of the sun” adds a spiritual dimension, suggesting a yearning for redemption and a peaceful afterlife.
The song’s ending is as dramatic as it is melancholic. The outlaw falls in a hail of gunfire, leaving his lover heartbroken. In a moment of tearful defiance, she raises his empty gun, a tragic symbol of lost hope. The final verse hints at a bittersweet resolution. The “thunder from the throne” and the “seven Spanish angels taking another angel home” suggest the possibility of forgiveness and a life beyond this world.
“Seven Spanish Angels” is more than just a country ballad; it’s a timeless story of love, loss, and the enduring power of faith. The song’s enduring popularity lies not only in the powerful performances by Nelson and Charles but also in its ability to evoke a range of emotions and leave listeners pondering the mysteries of life and death.
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Lyrics
He looked down into her brown eyes
And said “Say a prayer for me”
She threw her arms around him
Whispered “God will keep us free”
They could hear the riders comin’
He said “This is my last fight
If they take me back to Texas
They won’t take me back alive”
There were seven Spanish Angels
At the Altar of the Sun
They were prayin’ for the lovers
In the Valley of the Gun
When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
There was thunder from the throne
And seven Spanish Angels
Took another angel home
She reached down and picked the gun up
That lay smokin’ in his hand
She said, “Father please forgive me
I can’t make it without my man”
And she knew the gun was empty
And she knew she couldn’t win
But her final prayer was answered
When the rifles fired again
There were seven Spanish Angels
At the Altar of the Sun
They were prayin’ for the lovers
In the Valley of the Gun
When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
There was thunder from the throne
And seven Spanish Angels
Took another angel home
There were seven Spanish Angels
At the Altar of the Sun
They were prayin’ for the lovers
In the Valley of the Gun
When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
There was thunder from the throne
And seven Spanish Angels
Took another angel home
Alright ya’all help me now
There were seven Spanish Angels
At the Altar of the Sun (Oh I believe)
They were prayin’ for the lovers (Yeah they was)
In the Valley of the Gun (Well, well, well)
When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
There was thunder from the throne (Oh, yeah)
And seven Spanish Angels
Took another angel home