Welcome to my free Angel From Montgomery guitar lesson page dedicated to the extraordinary singer-songwriter, John Prine. With his heartfelt lyrics, gentle humor, and soulful melodies, John Prine has left an indelible mark on the folk and country music scene. His songs are timeless tales of everyday life, filled with raw emotions, keen observations, and a deep connection to the human experience. Join us as we explore the life, music, and legacy of this iconic troubadour."
Here I'll explain to you how I play this great old tune on the acoustic guitar. You'll find a free pdf chord sheet below as well.
Angel From Montgomery" is featured on John Prine's self-titled debut album, "John Prine," released in 1971. The album is considered a classic in the folk and country genres.
While "Angel From Montgomery" was not released as a single by John Prine, it gained recognition and popularity through cover versions by other artists. Prine's original version did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it became one of his most beloved and widely covered songs.
The song tells the story of a woman named Bonnie who is trapped in a stagnant and unfulfilling life. Through her reflective and introspective musings, Bonnie yearns for an escape from her circumstances and dreams of a better life. The song explores themes of longing, regret, and the search for meaning.
As "Angel From Montgomery" was released before the era of widespread music videos, there is no official music video for the song. However, various live performances and cover versions of the song can be found on video-sharing platforms.
"Angel From Montgomery" has become one of John Prine's most iconic and enduring songs, recognized for its poignant lyrics, memorable melody, and emotional depth. Its universal themes and relatable storytelling have resonated with audiences over the years, making it a cherished gem in the folk and Americana music landscape.
I am an old woman - Named after my mother
My old man is another - Child who's grown old
If dreams were lightning - And thunder were desire
This old house would've burned down - A long time ago
Make me an angel - that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster - of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing - that I can hold on to
To believe in this livin' is just a hard way to go
When I was a young girl - well I had me a cowboy
He weren't much to look at - just a free ramblin' man
But that was a long time - and no matter how I tried
The years just flowed by - ike a broken down dam
Make me an angel - that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster - of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing - that I can hold on to
To believe in this livin' is just a hard way to go
Break
There's flies in the kitchen - I can hear 'em there buzzin'
And I ain't done nothing - since I woke up today
How the hell can a person - go to work in the morning
Then come home in the evening - and have nothing to say?
Make me an angel - that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster - of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing - that I can hold on to
To believe in this livin' is just a hard way to go
This isn't a difficult song to play if you don't follow the time signature that John Prine originally recorded. As I explain in the video lesson, I've changed the arrangement and it follows the live verison John and Bonnie Raite played at the Farm Aid concert.
The chords here are G, C, D and an F when you get into the chorus.
For rhythm just play a down down up down up down up and repeat as you move through the song. This will keep you on a steady pace.
There wasn't any real picking break in this song as John just kinda hung out on G to kill some time with his finger-picking version and then moved into the last verse and chorus. As you'll see in the lesson, I've added in a break by using the first to lines of the verse and the first two lines of the chorus. This of course can be totally left out or you can add in some other setup for your version.
As we conclude our exploration of John Prine's remarkable career, it becomes clear that his songs have become the soundtrack to countless lives. With his gift for storytelling and his ability to find beauty in the ordinary, John Prine captured the hearts of fans around the world.
His poignant lyrics, warm voice, and genuine spirit continue to inspire and resonate with audiences of all generations. John Prine's legacy as a masterful songwriter and his impact on the folk and country music genres will forever be cherished. Thank you for joining us on this tribute to John Prine, a true legend whose music will live on in our hearts and souls."