Seven Spanish Angels
Ray Charles & Willie Nelson Lyrics


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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

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

Overall Meaning

The song Seven Spanish Angels by Ray Charles tells the story of two lovers caught in the middle of a battle. The man knows that he will likely not survive the fight, so he asks the woman to pray for him. As they hear the sound of the riders approaching, he tells her that this will be his last fight and that he will not be taken back to Texas alive. Seven Spanish angels are present at the altar of the sun, praying for the couple's safety in the valley of the gun. Despite their prayers, the man dies, and the woman picks up his gun out of desperation. She knows that the gun is empty and that she cannot win, but she decides to go down fighting. In her final moments, she prays for God's help again, and the rifles fire one more time. The couple is reunited in death, as the seven Spanish angels take them both home.


The song's lyrics are complex and touching, reflecting the universal themes of love, faith, and the struggle to survive. The idea of seven Spanish angels praying for the couple creates a sense of otherworldly protection, which only intensifies the tragedy of their fate. The song's melody is haunting and melancholic, adding to the emotion of the lyrics. Overall, Seven Spanish Angels is a beautifully poetic and moving song that has touched the hearts of many listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

He looked down into her brown eyes
The man stared into the woman's eyes.


And said 'say a prayer for me'
The man requested the woman to pray for him.


She threw her arms around him
The woman hugged the man tightly.


Whispered, 'God will keep us free'
The woman whispered that God will protect their freedom.


They could hear the riders comin'
They could hear the approaching cavalry.


He said, 'this is my last fight
The man declared that this was his final battle.


If they take me back to Texas
If the enemy captures him and bring him back to Texas.


They won't take me back alive'
He'd rather die in battle than be captured alive.


There were seven Spanish angels
Seven divine beings witnessed the proceeding in the battle.


At the altar of the sun
The seven Spanish angels were at an altar in the sun.


They were prayin' for the lovers
The seven angels were praying for the man and woman.


In the valley of the gun
This battle took place in a dangerous valley.


When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
After the fighting ended, and the pollution settled.


There was thunder from the throne
A loud and ominous noise from heaven was heard.


And seven Spanish angels
The seven divine beings.


Took another angel home'
Brought the man (who died in battle) to heaven.


She reached down and picked the gun up
The woman took the weapon from the man's hand.


That lay smokin' in his hand
The gun was still warm from the battle.


She said, 'Father, please forgive me
The woman begged for forgiveness from God.


I can't make it without my man'
She admitted that she cannot live without the man.


And she knew the gun was empty
She knew the gun was out of bullets.


And she knew she couldn't win
Despite the situation, she knew she could not emerge from the battle victorious.


But her final prayer was answered
Her last request was granted.


When the rifles fired again'
The enemy fired again.


There were seven Spanish angels
The seven divine beings who witnessed the event.


At the altar of the sun
The angels were still at the sacred altar.


They were prayin' for the lovers
The seven angels continued to pray for the couple.


In the valley of the gun
The battle continued to take place in the dangerous valley.


When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared
The fighting eventually came to an end.


There was thunder from the throne
A powerful sound from heaven was heard.


And seven Spanish angels
The seven divine beings that had been tasked to witness the event.


Took another angel home'
The seven Spanish angels brought the couple to heaven.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie F. Setser, Troy Harold Seals

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@herbertstrunkiii876

This is THE most underrated song for both Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. Their talents blended perfectly.

@dwaterson21

Id have to give the "Most Underrated Willie Nelson Song" distinction to "The Great Divide" but this is my favorite from him. It's incredible.

@koldaussie

It also puts me into tears at times. Ah, Granddad Whyatt, I miss you, you damned best Grazier in Australia at your prime... well my opinion, none of them were as cool and had good access to Japanese markets in the 80's. Us grandkids loved you tonnes. You won't be chasing the devil's herd across the sky wherever you be, you'll be teaching them how to do it properly so the damned cattle don't escape in the first place.

@soposh5673

lol

@BradyAlley

Ah yes, the "UNDERRATED" song with 100 million views lol

@kellyjodesigns

Incredible!!

14 More Replies...

@UnleashedTraining101

Ray’s voice gives me goosebumps and that spine tingle every single time. And Willie has the worlds greatest country music voice ever.

@cameron_0022

May he rest in peace. He passed away when I was just 3 years old.

@jtenn73

Me too

@whirving

They don't necessarily mix because of their styles/temperaments...but man do they make music. Willie is so in the music, and he does it his way that he doesn't pick up Ray's cues when they are offered, but then he catches them and SOARS with that voice. So damn beautiful, Ray and Willie.

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