Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground chords

Willie Nelson

Original Published Key: A Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: ~64 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate

Guitar Chords: A, A/C#, A7, A7/C#, Bm7, C, C#, C#m, D, D#dim7, E, E7, F#m, G#m

Arrangement details and helpful tips for beginners

Chord Chart Legend
A Major A/C# A7 A7/C# Bm7 Bm7 barre chord C Major C# Major C#m barre chord D#dim7 F#m F#m barre chord G#m G#m barre chord
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major A/C# A7 A7/C# Bm7 Bm7 barre chord C Major C# Major C# Major barre chord C#m barre chord D#dim7 F#m F#m barre chord G#m G#m barre chord

Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
 A                    C#m
1. If you had not-'ve fal-len
 D                      A
   Then I would not-'ve found you
  D               E7               A         E7
   An-gel fly-ing too close to the ground |      |
 
  A                      C#m
2. And I patched up your bro-ken wing 
  D                   A
   And hung a-round a while
 B7
   Try-ing to keep your spi-rits up
 E                 E7
   And your fe-ver down
 
 A                 C#m
3. I knew some-day-ay 
                        D            C#  C
   That you would fly a-way |  /  /  3&  4&  |
B7                                        E              F#m  G#m 
   For love's the great-est heal-er to be found |  /  /  3&   4&  |
 
      A                    C#m
Chorus: So leave me if you need to, 
      D                 D#dim7
        I will still re-mem-ber
      A                E7               A        A    E7
        An-gel fly-ing too close to the ground |   -     | 

          A    C#m     D     A     D     E     A     E
Instr: |     |      |     |     |     |     |     |     |

          A    C#m     D     A     B7          E
       |     |      |     |     |     |  %  |     |  %  |

 A         C#m                      D              C#  C
4. Fly on  fly on past the speed of sound |  /  /  3&  4&  |
 B7                                    E             F#m  G#m 
   I'd ra-ther see you up than see you down |  /  /  3&   4&  |
 
      A                         C#m
Chorus: So leave me if you need to,    
      D                 D#dim7
        I will still re-mem-ber
     A                E                  A       D   A     E
       An-gel fly-ing too close to the | ground -  |    -    |

     A                   C#m       A7/C#
       Leave me if you | need to -       |  
     D                 D#dim7
       I will still re-mem-ber
     A                E                  D         A/C#  Bm7         A
       An-gel fly-ing too close to the | ground /  3&    4&  | 1& 2& 3  |
                                                                     𝄑

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: A Major - 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Freely
  • Metronome: ♩ = 64
  • Voice Range: A3 - D5
  • Intermediate Level: The song is considered Intermediate due to the range of chords including slash chords, extended chords and barre chords and the ability to move between these different chord typed smoothly.
  • Beginner Guitarists: Even though these chords might initially feel difficult, beginners with a strong desire to improve can absolutely work through them. We have included open chord voicings for every chord, making them achievable, especially if you can't play barre chords.

    C# requires a small bar and a bit of a stretch but gets easier with practice, and it's a great way to build strength in the hand and fingers.

    C# → C: You can play an inversion of C# and C, so that when you play C# to C on the song sheet, you retain the exact shape but slip down 1 fret:
    🎸    Frets   Fingers
e|----4----3--  1st
B|----6----5--  4th 
G|----6----5--  3rd
D|----6----5--  2nd  
A|----X----X--
E|----X----X--
Chord:C#   C

    C#m and G#m also require a small barre but they're both very easy to play—even for beginners. They are also a great pre-cursor for learning to play barre chords.

    Practice: The key is consistent practice and building the strength and dexterity needed for those more complex chord shapes. It’s a great way for a beginner to gradually build up their technique without jumping straight into the deep end.

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: Willie Nelson
  • Lyrics Begin: If you had not've fallen, then I would not've found you, angel flying too close to the ground.
  • Genre: Country
  • Featured Artist: Willie Nelson
  • Album: Honeysuckle Rose
    Released: July 18, 1980
  • Single:
    Released: January 1981
    B-side: I Guess I've Come to Live Here in Your Eyes
Songs by Willie Nelson on this site:
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