The Angel of Death
Hank Williams Sr. · The Ultimate Collection ( Bonus DVD) [Mercury] [2005]
(Hank Williams)
In the great book of John you're warned of the day
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
The angel of death will come from the sky
And claim your poor soul when the time comes to die.
Chorus:
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
And then your loved ones are gathered to weep
Can you face them and say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death.
Chorus:
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?...
In the great book of John you're warned of the day
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
The angel of death will come from the sky
And claim your poor soul when the time comes to die.
Chorus:
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
And then your loved ones are gathered to weep
Can you face them and say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death.
Chorus:
When the angel of death comes down after you
Can you smile and say that you have been true
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?...
The Angel of Death
Hank Williams Sr.'s "The Angel of Death" stands as a haunting centerpiece in his discography, blending his signature country sound with a brooding, gospel-tinged atmosphere. Recorded during the height of his career, the track exemplifies his ability to weave personal sorrow into universal themes of mortality and redemption. The song's haunting melody and Williams' emotive delivery created a lasting legacy that transcended the typical honky-tonk repertoire of the early 1950s. As part of his broader body of work, this recording remains a definitive example of his influence on modern country and Americana music, capturing the raw emotional depth that defined his era.