Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground chords
by Willie NelsonOriginal Published Key: A Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~64 bpm
Guitar Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)
Skill Level: Intermediate 🟠
Chords: A, A/C#, A7, A7/C#, Bm7, C, C#, C#m, D, D#dim7, E, E7, F#m, G#m
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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 types 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 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.
If you still find this difficult to play, you can use the following inversion of C# Major where you only play the top 4 strings.
Chord: C#: C#-E#(F)-G# 🎸 Frets Notes Fingers e|---4--- ← G# 1st B|---6--- ← F 4th G|---6--- ← C# 3rd D|---6--- ← G# 2nd A|------- E|-------
C# → C: You can use the same inversion, 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|------------ E|------------ Chord:C# C
G#m Version 2 requires a small barre but is very easy to play—even for beginners. It is also a great pre-cursor for learning to play barre chords.
C#m Version 2 is played exactly like the open version of Bm, except starting on the 4th fret instead of the 2nd fret.
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:

- 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
Other songs by Willie Nelson:
| Song / Artist | Capo | Key | Core Chords |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Woman's Love | - | Dm | Dm, F, Gm, A7, Bb |
| All Of Me | - | G | G, Am, A7, B7, Bm, Cm, D7, Em, E7 |
| Blue Skies | - | Bm→Cm | Bm, D, Eb7, F#, F#7, G7, A7 → Cm, Eb, Fm7, Ab, Bb7 |
| City Of New Orleans | - | D | D, E, F#m, G, A, Bm, C |
| Georgia On My Mind | +1 | C | C, C7, D7, D9, Dm7, Daug, D#7, E7, Eaug, Em7, F, F7, F#dim7, G7, G7#5, A, A7, Am, Am7, Bb, B7 |
| Have You Ever Seen the Rain | - | A | A, Amaj7, D, E, F#m, F#m7 |
| The Highwayman | - | Bm | Bm, D, Em, G, A |
| On The Road Again | +4 | C | C, C7, Dm, E7, F, G7 |
| Old Timer | - | D | D, E, Em7, F#m, F#7, G, A, Bm |
| Pancho and Lefty | - | D | D, G, A, Bm |
