Angel From Montgomery Ukulele Chords – John Prine. This song uses the chords: G, C, D, F. You can change the key for free as needed.
Angel From Montgomery Ukulele Chords – John Prine
INTRO:
G C/G x7
“Angel From Montgomery” History:
Here’s a detailed overview of “Angel From Montgomery” — one of John Prine’s most beloved and enduring songs:
🎵 Basic Info
- Title: Angel from Montgomery
- Writer/Original Artist: John Prine
- Album: John Prine (his self-titled debut)
- Released: 1971
- Genre: Country / Folk
- Length: ~3:43
- Label: Atlantic Records
- Producer: Arif Mardin
🧠 Background & Meaning
John Prine wrote Angel From Montgomery early in his career, inspired by a suggestion from a friend to write “another song about old people” after his earlier song Hello in There. Prine envisioned a middle-aged woman stuck in a life and marriage that feel like a trap — yearning for something more, something transcendent. The “angel from Montgomery” she calls for represents a kind of deliverance or escape from monotony and emotional loneliness.
The phrase “angel from Montgomery” itself is evocative: some interpretations tie it to the idea of a pardon or rescue from confinement — metaphorically a release from life’s daily grind.
📖 Lyrics Snapshot
The song’s narrator is an older woman reflecting on her life — standing over the dishwater, hearing flies in the kitchen, and feeling the years flow by like “a broken down dam.” Her repeated plea in the chorus — “Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery / Just give me one thing that I can hold on to” — expresses a deep longing for meaning, connection, or hope.
🎤 Cultural Impact & Covers
Though Prine’s original is iconic, the song became widely known through Bonnie Raitt’s 1974 cover on her album Streetlights, which helped cement it as an Americana classic. Raitt has said it may be one of the most meaningful songs in her repertoire.
Other notable artists who’ve recorded or performed the song include:
- Susan Tedeschi (often with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
- Emmylou Harris (live versions with Prine)
- Bonnie Raitt & John Prine duets, including performances on Austin City Limits and other venues.
It’s also featured in films and TV shows, underscoring its emotional resonance across contexts.
🏅 Legacy
Angel From Montgomery is widely regarded as one of Prine’s signature songs and ranked among the Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Fans and musicians alike praise its simple yet profound portrayal of longing, frustration, resilience, and hope — qualities that have made it a staple in folk and Americana music and a favorite for interpretation by artists across generations.
