In 2015, country music legend Willie Nelson was honored at the Gershwin Prize Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The event, presented by the Library of Congress, celebrated Nelson’s six-decade career and his selection as the recipient of the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
It was a night filled with love and admiration for one of the greatest storytellers in music history. Still, one performance stood out, leaving Willie visibly emotional. His friends Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson took the stage to deliver a heart-wrenching rendition of “Seven Spanish Angels,” one of Nelson’s most beloved songs—a duet he originally performed with the legendary Ray Charles. As the timeless ballad unfolded, Nelson was seen holding back tears, overwhelmed by the weight of the moment and the tribute to his enduring legacy.
A Song of Love, Loss, and Angels
“Seven Spanish Angels” is no ordinary country song. Written by Troy Seals and Eddie Setser, it weaves a story as haunting as it is beautiful—a tale of an outlaw and his lover facing an inevitable end at the hands of a posse. Knowing they are cornered, the couple embraces, clinging to their faith that God will intervene.
The outlaw fires first, but he is swiftly killed. In a final act of defiance and devotion, the woman picks up his empty rifle and points it at the law enforcement officers. Her tearful prayer, “Father, please forgive me; I can’t make it without my man,” echoes her heartbreak before she is shot and killed. As their lives end, seven Spanish angels gather at the sun’s altar to carry their souls home.
The song’s lyrics, “When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared, there was thunder from the throne, and seven Spanish angels took another angel home,” evoke a bittersweet finality. It’s a vivid, emotional journey that combines love, tragedy, and faith—a story that could have been plucked from an old Western film.
Seals and Setser penned the song as a homage to Marty Robbins’ Tejano-influenced classics like ‘El Paso,’ as detailed by American Songwriter. Tragically, Robbins passed away before the song was completed, but “Seven Spanish Angels” carries his spirit in its storytelling and sweeping melody. Released in 1984, the duet between Willie Nelson and Ray Charles became a monumental hit, topping the country charts and remaining one of Charles’ most successful forays into the genre. It was a collision of two giants, each lending their distinct voices to create something unforgettable.
A Tribute Fit for a Legend
On the night of the Gershwin Prize ceremony, Krauss and Johnson poured their souls into their rendition of the iconic song, honoring not just Willie Nelson’s contributions to music but also the emotional depth of the duet he shared with Ray Charles. Krauss’ angelic voice, paired with Johnson’s soulful grit, brought a fresh, heart-stopping energy to the performance. Together, they captured the sorrow and beauty of the song, leaving the audience—and Willie—enthralled.
Nelson’s reaction spoke volumes. Sitting in the crowd, his eyes welled with emotion as his friends paid tribute to one of his most treasured songs. It was more than just a performance; it was a moment of reflection, a nod to the history and storytelling that have always been at the heart of country music.
“Seven Spanish Angels” is a testament to the power of collaboration, timeless songwriting, and the enduring legacy of artists like Willie Nelson. Watching Johnson and Krauss sing it was a reminder of why this song—and Nelson’s career—will never fade.
If you ever need proof of the magic that music can bring, this performance is it. Willie Nelson may have been holding back tears, but the rest of us weren’t as strong.
