Story Behind The Song
This song is based on a real serial killer in South Texas named Migel Angel Resendez-Ramirez. He was called "The Angel" because he came out of nowhere, killed, and then disappeared. Turns out he was a Mexican national who would hop freight cars, ride to a border town inside Texas, kill and then hop a train back to Mexico. He was captured and tried in Houston, TX, and now sits on death row.
Song Description
Driving acoustic-based song about the fear of having a murderer on the loose.
| Song Length |
4:40 |
Genre |
Country - Alternative, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Distressed, Nervous |
Subject |
Murder, Rape, Violence |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
THE ANGEL
This summer?s the hottest we remember.
The air is heavy all around.
This summer down in the south of Texas.
This summer the angel comes to town.
He rides the rails up from the border.
He slips in and out of sight.
Head is filled with a million voices
saying someone dies tonight.
Go inside and take your sons and daughters.
Go inside and lock the doors.
Go inside until the sun comes up
and the angel isn?t with us anymore.
Tonight he kills south of the city.
Not far from Esperanza Park.
Leaves him down by the rails at the crossroads.
And disappears into the dark.
Keeps his head as the train starts moving.
Feels the power start to flow.
The voices give way to a silence.
As the rusty rails take him home.
And the night is never-ending.
We take accounting of our sins.
And hope that God hears the prayers we?re sending.
That the angel doesn?t visit us again.
Words & Music by Greg Westfall
© 2003 Greg Westfall, BMI
Voice & Guitars ? Westfall
Bass ? Bob Prince
Drums ? Steve Froese