Lord, Send Me an Angel
Encyclopedia
"Lord, Send Me an Angel" is a song by Blind Willie McTell
of which two versions were recorded on September 19, 1933 in New York
. Accompanied by his wife, Kate
, McTell re-recorded it as "Ticket Agent Blues" in 1935, albeit with some alternate verses. This was used as the B-side to his single "Bell Street Blues" on Decca Records
. The song was covered by Detroit, Michigan
garage rock
band, The White Stripes
, which was released as a single
in October of 2000.
The original version of the song begins with a dialogue between the singer and God
. The former asks for an angel and the latter says, having no angels, He'll send "a teasin' brown". The rest of the lyrics describe the singer's promiscuity and liking for women of different complexions: "One woman's Atlanta yellow, the other is Macon
brown, but the Statesboro blackskin will turn your damper down". The song ends with the singer addressing a lover, saying he's leaving her and that she'll be sorry she drove him away, perhaps wishful thinking judging by the way he claims to regard women.
The White Stripes' cover version features various changes to the original lyrics. Jack White's
name replaces Blind Willie McTell's, and Detroit replaces Macon
and Georgia as place names.
Blind Willie McTell
Blind Willie McTell , was an influential Piedmont and ragtime blues singer and guitarist. He played with a fluid, syncopated fingerstyle guitar technique, common among many exponents of Piedmont blues, although, unlike his contemporaries, he used exclusively a twelve-string guitar...
of which two versions were recorded on September 19, 1933 in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Accompanied by his wife, Kate
Kate McTell
Kate McTell was an American blues musician and nurse from Jefferson County, Georgia. She is known primarily as the former wife of fellow blues musician, Blind Willie McTell, whom she accompanied vocally on several recordings...
, McTell re-recorded it as "Ticket Agent Blues" in 1935, albeit with some alternate verses. This was used as the B-side to his single "Bell Street Blues" on Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. The song was covered by Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band, The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
, which was released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in October of 2000.
The original version of the song begins with a dialogue between the singer and God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. The former asks for an angel and the latter says, having no angels, He'll send "a teasin' brown". The rest of the lyrics describe the singer's promiscuity and liking for women of different complexions: "One woman's Atlanta yellow, the other is Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
brown, but the Statesboro blackskin will turn your damper down". The song ends with the singer addressing a lover, saying he's leaving her and that she'll be sorry she drove him away, perhaps wishful thinking judging by the way he claims to regard women.
The White Stripes' cover version features various changes to the original lyrics. Jack White's
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
name replaces Blind Willie McTell's, and Detroit replaces Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
and Georgia as place names.