Angel from Montgomery was written by American country-folk music singer-songwriter John Prine - released on his self-titles album on January 1, 1971.
Featured Artist: Bonnie Raitt - American blues singer and guitarist.
Recorded: Summer, 1974
Released: September 1974
Album: Streetlights
Music: E major in 4/4 time at ~120 bpm
Chords: E, A, A7, B, B7, D
Angel from Montgomery
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
E A A E A A
Intro: 4/4 ||: 1&2&3& 4& | | 1&2 &3& 4& | :||
E A E A
1. I am an old wom-an named after my moth-er.
E A B E
My old man is a-no-ther child that's grown old.
A E A
If dreams were thun-der and light-ning was de-sire
E A B E
This old house would've burnt down a long time a-go.
E D A E
Chorus: Make me an an-gel that flies from Mont-gom-ery.
E D A E
Make me a pos-ter of an old ro-de-o.
E D A E
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to.
E A B E
To be-lieve in this liv-ing is just a hard way to | go |
E A A E A A
| 1&2&3& 4& | | 1&2 &3& 4& | |
E A E A
2. When I was a young girl well I had me a cow-boy,
E A B E
He weren't much to look at, just a free ramb-lin' man.
A7 E A
But that was a long time, and no mat-ter how I try,
E A B E
Those years just flow by like a bro-ken-down dam.
E D A E
Chorus: Make me an an-gel that flies from Mont-gom-ery.
E D A E
Make me a pos-ter of an old ro-de-o.
E D A E
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to.
E A B E
To be-lieve in this liv-ing is just a hard way to (go)
E A A E A A
||: 1&2&3& 4& | | 1&2 &3& 4& | :||
(go)
E A E A
3. There's flies in the kit-chen, I can hear all their buzz-in'
E A B7 E
And I ain't done noth-in' since I woke up to-day.
E A E A
How the hell can a per-son go to work in the morn-ing
E A B E
And come home in the eve-nin' and have noth-in' to say?
E D A E
Chorus: Make me an an-gel that flies from Mont-gom-ery.
E D A E
Make me a pos-ter of an old ro-de-o.
E D A E
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to.
E A B E
To be-lieve in this liv-ing is just a hard way to go
E A B E
To be-lieve in this liv-ing is just a hard way to go...
Written by John Prine and released on his self-titled debut album in 1971.
About a middle-aged woman from Montgomery, Alabama, who feels trapped in her life and longs for something more.
Inspired by a conversation that Prine had with his friend, Eddie Holstein. Holstein told Prine about a woman he knew who was feeling trapped in her life. Prine was struck by the woman's story and decided to write a song about it.
Covered by many artists, including Bonnie Raitt (featured), Carly Simon, John Denver, Alison Krauss, Wynonna Judd, and Holly Williams.
Makes an appearance in Film and TV: Into the Wild, Courage Under Fire, and Ozark.
Considered a classic of American folk music.
The song is ultimately a song about hope. The song suggests that even when life is difficult, there is always hope for a better future.
