About the song
“Seven Spanish Angels,” a poignant song written by Troy Seals and Eddie Setser, is a remarkable collaboration between two legendary musicians, Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. Released in November 1984, this duet stands out as one of the most memorable tracks from Charles’s album *Friendship*. The song is also featured on Nelson’s 1985 compilation album, *Half Nelson*.
The song’s narrative centers on an outlaw and his lover who are on the run from a posse determined to bring them back to Texas. The tale unfolds as the couple, cornered and facing certain doom, decides to make a final stand against the lawmen. In a heartfelt and dramatic moment, the lovers embrace and express their faith in divine protection before the inevitable gunfight begins. The outlaw is soon killed, and his grief-stricken lover takes up his weapon, only to meet the same fate. The song poignantly describes how “seven Spanish angels” gather to pray for the souls of the fallen lovers, followed by a celestial “thunder from the throne” as the angels take them home.
Troy Seals and Eddie Setser originally crafted the song as a tribute to the classic Tejano-style ballads made famous by Marty Robbins, particularly his hit “El Paso.” Seals reflected that the song was intended to capture the spirit of Robbins’s work, even though Robbins himself had passed away. Initially pitched to Willie Nelson, the song caught the attention of producer Billy Sherrill, who saw the potential for a duet with Ray Charles. This collaboration brought the song to life with Charles and Nelson splitting the verses and harmonizing on the chorus, creating a deeply moving and memorable performance.
“Seven Spanish Angels” achieved significant success, topping the country charts for one week and remaining on the charts for a total of twelve weeks. It became Ray Charles’s most successful single on the country charts, showcasing his ability to cross musical boundaries and resonate with audiences across genres. The song’s blend of storytelling, heartfelt emotion, and the unique pairing of Charles and Nelson remains a classic example of country and rhythm and blues merging to create a timeless piece of music.
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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