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Cowboy Junkies — Angel Mine
Album: Lay It Down
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2529









Released: 1996
Length: 3:53
Plays (last 30 days): 2
He searched for those wings that he knew
that this angel should have at her back
And although he can't find them
he really don't mind
because he knows they'll grow back
And he reached for that halo that he knows
that she had when she first caught his eye
Although his hand came back empty
he's really not worried
'cause he knows it still shines

I can't promise that I'll grow those wings
or keep this tarnished halo shined
but I'll never betray your trust
angel mine

I search all the time on the ground
for our shadows cast side by side
Just to remind me that I haven't gone crazy
that you exist and are mine
And I know that your skin is as warm and as real
as that smile in your eyes
But I have to keep touching and smelling
and tasting for fear it's all lies

I can't promise that I'll grow those wings
or keep this tarnished halo shined
but I'll never betray your trust
angel mine

Last night I awoke from the deepest of sleeps
with your voice in my head
And I could tell by your breathing
that you were still sleeping
I repeated those words that you had said

I can't promise that I'll grow those wings
or keep this tarnished halo shined
but I'll never betray your trust
angel mine
Comments (132)add comment
Got tix to their retrospective tour.  Very much looking forward to it.
I wouldgive this a 12!!! 
ode to a 7 year relationship. 😎
That's a beautiful voice in a beautiful song.
 jelgator wrote:



Yeesh, I bet you're fun at a party.


Try listening to the words. Hope it gives you some perspective into their genius.
 Webfoot wrote:
One of my favorite Cowboy Junkies songs. Radio Paradise is the best! Thanks Bill & Rebecca. Time to send some support. {#Notworthy}


Absolutely true. This is your reminder if you forgot to send in some $ These people are doing god's work through RP and I'm no believer in god. ☮️☮️☮️
Got them to play in Fairbanks, AK May 2005 by writing to their manager. Outdoor concert at the Blue Loon late May, perfect weather. Not too bad of bugs yet, and they were great 👍. About 1500 people out. 
A very lovely voice Margot has.  In a tuneful, evocative song.  As are most Cowboy Junkie songs on RP. 
Pale Sun Crescent Moon was very good. OK, so no Nobel so?
 tinypriest wrote:

Awful band. Just can't get how this group connects. Drone-like, simpering lyrics about not being sure if the guy or gal loves you, forever, or whatever. "I can't promise that I'll grow those wings". Who's asking you to? Why would you even answer a question like that?

Anyway, a Toronto band that Toronto outgrew a long time ago, since they came out of a milieu of quirky local bands that no one else ended up hearing but us locals who became sated and got bored of the likes of the CJs: Teenage Head, Ray Materick, The Demics, Pukka Orchestra, Goddo, Rough Trade, Gerry Cott, Manteca, Scott Merrit, Chain Of Fun, Sara Craig, Big Faith, Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, Corky And The Juice Pigs, Max Webster/Kim Mitchell, Ian Thomas, Lighthouse, Streetheart, Nick Gilder, Five Man Electrical Band, Bare Naked Ladies, Glass Tiger, etc...).

Sated.




Yeesh, I bet you're fun at a party.
The lyrics are so poignant. Sometimes I find their sound a bit monotone, but this is a truly beautiful song. 
Awful band. Just can't get how this group connects. Drone-like, simpering lyrics about not being sure if the guy or gal loves you, forever, or whatever. "I can't promise that I'll grow those wings". Who's asking you to? Why would you even answer a question like that?

Anyway, a Toronto band that Toronto outgrew a long time ago, since they came out of a milieu of quirky local bands that no one else ended up hearing but us locals who became sated and got bored of the likes of the CJs: Teenage Head, Ray Materick, The Demics, Pukka Orchestra, Goddo, Rough Trade, Gerry Cott, Manteca, Scott Merrit, Chain Of Fun, Sara Craig, Big Faith, Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, Corky And The Juice Pigs, Max Webster/Kim Mitchell, Ian Thomas, Lighthouse, Streetheart, Nick Gilder, Five Man Electrical Band, Bare Naked Ladies, Glass Tiger, etc...).

Sated.
it's all about creating a  space in time and this band does it in  spades
one of my favorite CJ tunes as it is more uptempo than others? Seem to disagree with several of you here but I also like Margo Timmin's voice
Smooooooth!
 ThePoose wrote:
I call them the Boring Monkeys: they would not know an uptempo song if it bit Margo on her tush.
 
Do songs need to be up tempo? According to their bio of 11/11/86 found in Whites Off Earth Now!! LP I just purchased, they play music for 3am.
I've always wanted to like CJ...but the malaise that oozes from the lazy productions cause me to really want a jolt of energy. It's like having an indecisive friend that never has an emphatic point or feeling.
Needs more UUUMPH!
Where cowboys become junkies and junkies become cowboys is where I want to be
These guys are soooooo good!
 ThePoose wrote:
I call them the Boring Monkeys: they would not know an uptempo song if it bit Margo on her tush.
 
You might be working from incomplete information.
I was fortunate enough to see them in concert at the Birchmere on Jan. 29. Quite a good performance. Glad I went. Thanks for playing them as often as you do Bill!
 ThePoose wrote:
I call them the Boring Monkeys: they would not know an uptempo song if it bit Margo on her tush.
 
I happen to think they are a very good group and Margo is a hell of a singer
I call them the Boring Monkeys: they would not know an uptempo song if it bit Margo on her tush.
For me, it's repeated hammer blows to the head.

 
kingart wrote:
Sighhhh.  For me, this is a song equivalent of a tall vodka and tonic in July. 
 

Sighhhh.  For me, this is a song equivalent of a tall vodka and tonic in July. 
 CDextrous wrote:
This sounds like the song that Jan's assistant, Hunter, writes for her in The Office: An American Workplace.
 

LOL)Or: Perhaps you have that , backwards.
Just sayin
it's not the Chicken and the egg !
This sounds like the song that Jan's assistant, Hunter, writes for her in The Office: An American Workplace.
I think one of the most beautiful songs from the Cowboy Junkies ever.
silky
Ahhhhh...what a voice. I'll never get tired of Margo's voice. Smooth as silk.
Never be afraid to read the lyrics for a CJ/MT song. They won't ever disappoint. 
Oh Darn!  I just fell in love with Margo again.  Wife won't be happy about this.
Mama's don't your sons grow up to be cowboys
Always good advice.
 Cueburned wrote:
Been a cowboy. Never been a junkie.  Well...unless bad coffee before sunrise on a hangover counts. Love what the Junkies bring to a sunrise. Hope my horse knows where we're going...
 
 

 
Cowboys from PEI......    I do like the concept.  
 maxjboxer wrote:

What does the Incompetyrant have to do with this?

 
You are surely vindictive about a president who had no political scandals, is globally admired, and tried every possible way to include people of every political persuasions to work with him.  Many of them responded  as you did. 
Which led us to the catastrophe we now endure. 
Been a cowboy. Never been a junkie.  Well...unless bad coffee before sunrise on a hangover counts. Love what the Junkies bring to a sunrise. Hope my horse knows where we're going...
 
 
 Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...  time flies when we're having fun...



 
What does the Incompetyrant have to do with this?
There is much tenderness in this song.
Trust has very fragile petals.
But, Faith ... oh, she has powerful
wings that propel you to eternity ... 
Peace!     {#Sunny} 
...Margo and Mazzy within the space of an hour. Don't get much better, looking at the mountains with a coffee in hand, Thanks RP!
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...  time flies when we're having fun...


{#Music}{#Dancingbanana}One of my favorite places to be; surrounded by the Cowboy Junkies.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I have seen them a couple of time, My favorite time was when I saw them at the 930 Club in DC when they toured with this album.  They were great, very professional.
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}  Splendid band - 8 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9
 oldviolin wrote:

I'm not angry with you at all. I see right through your penchant for self flagellation.

You've confused yourself into believing that what you have to say matters, when in fact it could if you weren't choosing to be such a mocking jackass. Your choice.
 

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this splendiferous classic song more than zesty pussy pickles...  we be dancing buck ass naked like B.F. Skinner...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

Have a modicum of dignity and self respect for crying out loud. At least for the community at large.


Michelangelo's David photo MichelangelosDavid.jpg
 Lazarus wrote:

Huh?  Is that a song comment?  Why are you so angry with me?


 
I'm not angry with you at all. I see right through your penchant for self flagellation.

You've confused yourself into believing that what you have to say matters, when in fact it could if you weren't choosing to be such a mocking jackass. Your choice.
 oldviolin wrote:

For the record let's just suppose that you might have built your own fires of perdition...
 
Huh?  Is that a song comment?  Why are you so angry with me?  I am not your enema...

I was, in fact, saved from the attack of a colony of aliens sent to Earth to turn humans into a cheap source of protein...  amen...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.jpg


 Lazarus wrote:

After I got burned at the stake here in paradise by an angry mob of unsophisticated tone-deaf peasants...  I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...  

 
For the record let's just suppose that you might have built your own fires of perdition...
One of my favorite Cowboy Junkies songs. Radio Paradise is the best! Thanks Bill & Rebecca. Time to send some support. {#Notworthy}
 TJS wrote:
When did you get all churchy, Romeo?
 
After I got burned at the stake here in paradise by an angry mob of unsophisticated tone-deaf peasants...  I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...  
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song...

 

When did you get all churchy, Romeo?
Amazing song! Wonderful lyrics and melody. A perfect 10.

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 Dav3thedog wrote:
Excellent band!
 

I agree...  this album is incredible...  love this song...
 
Excellent band!
Nice followup to Elvis Costello-my favorite Junkies record and a band that catches too much grief for being themselves.    {#Jump}

We be slow-dancing...  love it madly...
 
..feels like a "real" love song..not at all sappy, showing the different sides love brings out..nicely played..

..good to dedicate to the one you love..
A particularly FINE song, borne of profound sentiment, sung in such a marvelous way; it makes a crisp, clear Saturday spring morning seem even better...and reminds me of other times it made me stop, catch my heart, and listen...  Thanks!
 romeotuma wrote:


This smooth groove is unmatched by any other band...  love it...
 
 
Me too! I don't care what the detractors say. This is a great song by a great band.

 romeotuma wrote:


This smooth groove is unmatched by any other band...  love it...
 
 



what's your rating tuma?
God, how I hate them!
 fredriley wrote:
There's plenty of feeling in the lyrics, right enough, but the delivery is so deadpan as to be nearly a lullaby {#Sleep}
 
A dead-pan lullaby. I like it.  {#Cowboy}

 Carl wrote:

Wow! When do we get to hear your band on RP? This rated 8, pretty high bar.

 

He prolly does not get paid for playing music as the Junkies do. I am sure he is proficient at what he does get paid for, that is the point.

Fingernails on chalkboard.....must......reach......mute.......button


 Randomax wrote:
They are terrible and this is their worst....sounds like my 8th grade cheesy garage band
 
Wow! When do we get to hear your band on RP? This rated 8, pretty high bar.

They are terrible and this is their worst....sounds like my 8th grade cheesy garage band
Just looking the cover tells you these guys get tired easy
There's plenty of feeling in the lyrics, right enough, but the delivery is so deadpan as to be nearly a lullaby {#Sleep}
What if you can't hear her voice?

 
sirdroseph wrote:
What happens if you dislike Margo's voice? Answer: you cannot like this band.{#No}
 


What happens if you dislike Margo's voice? Answer: you cannot like this band.{#No}
Nice!

One of my favourites.

 

Good chill music while a reinstall of Windows 7 presents a few unanticipated challenges...


Well this is impressive!  The 128k acc feed sounds good too!
 DeeCee1109 wrote:
Margo . . .
 
MAR- GO! {#Dancingbanana}

Ooooh! Just lookit her on that chair there!

Very, very nice.
{#Notworthy}
RobK wrote:
Margo, Margo, Margo....everybody's always going on about Margo. Get with it folks! This band is all about Mr. Michael Timmins. He's one of the best songwriters of the last quarter-century, hands down. Okay, so I love Margo, too.
Margo . . .
wow! what a lush, beautiful song. a wonderful extension of traditional c.j. fare.
OK - How many songs start with the same - or similar set of strummed chords. I thought it was going to be George Harrison
I wonder what happened to old PhysicsGenius? We haven't heard from that cat in more than a year.
oldslabsides wrote:
Who the hell rated this a 1!? Was it you, physicsgenius?
He slapped 1's on Lay It Down, Common Disaster and Powderfinger, but not this one. Perhaps he just hasn't gotten there yet....
Geecheeboy (under a crescent moon and palmetto tree) Posted: Oct 02, 2007 - 11:52 < Reply > Strange... I am hearing Cowboy Junkies. Stickiness in the internets I guess. Bill's reading the comments!!!!
ssg wrote:
Resembles "Free Bird" from Lynyrd Skynyrd.
And I like it anyway . . .
Margo, Margo, Margo....everybody's always going on about Margo. Get with it folks! This band is all about Mr. Michael Timmins. He's one of the best songwriters of the last quarter-century, hands down. Okay, so I love Margo, too.
Wonderful, sweet sentiment in this one. I know that sounds pretty cheesey, but I can think of no other way to say it. I really, really like this track. And Margo can say this to me ANY day. Or, if I'm beyond lucky, any night.
Margo sounds great on this one!
Resembles "Free Bird" from Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Damn! I love Margo Timmons' voice!!
C57BL6 wrote:
I find that Calexico's Black Light is their One. Like their other stuff but...
Totally agree. Great album.
QualityPie wrote:
This happen with anyone else out there? If so, what artists, and which One Album?
I find that Calexico's Black Light is their One. Like their other stuff but...
Totally agree. Great album.
This happen with anyone else out there? If so, what artists, and which One Album?
I find that Calexico's Black Light is their One. Like their other stuff but...
Outstanding...JUST saw these guys last night...way to kickstart my day!! The haven't lost a step after all these years!!
I borrowed Trinity Session from a friend once, and loved it. Everything I heard here after that, I found wanting; the Pale Sun, Crescent Moon stuff sounded very compromised, and the Whites Off Earth Now stuff sounded like Trinity-type music, but so poorly recorded and amateurishly played, I coudn't take it. But after hearing this song and the title track from Lay It Down, I feel like I finally found a SECOND Cowboy Junkies album that actually sounds like Cowboy Junkies, and done well. I've hit the same problem with some other artists: One album that knocks me out, then exploring their other releases leaves me with a bunch of stuff totally missing what that One Album had. (This happened with Smog, regarding the album "Dongs Of Sevotion", but I'm sure there are other bands . . . just can't think of them right now . . . ) This happen with anyone else out there? If so, what artists, and which One Album?
I could have sworn I heard these guys in the background for a prescription sleep medicine advert. Really.
i'll have a latte. yawn.
she said at one of her shows that this song is the "sequel" to the song "Misguided Angel."
This song has only just started and I already know what the guitar solo will sound like.
There is something totally soulful, totally deep, totally enchanting in her voice and their amazingly simple but on the beat music behind it. Would love to see them live... Keep the party happening, Bill-san! Onegai!
Junkie for these Junkies!
nice. nice!!!
i like this variation of the junkies. a fuller sound. a stronger backbeat.
Gryn wrote:
Cowboy Junkies always make me feel like I'm gliding over a midwestern cornfield at one O'clock in the morning.. with a full moon.
Eloquently described - I think I flew right by you on the other side of the cornfield. mmmmmmmmMargo. . . . .
Cowboy Junkies always make me feel like I'm gliding over a midwestern cornfield at one O'clock in the morning.. with a full moon.
What an incredible song. Power from simplicity. Between this album and Black Eyed Man I converted a lot of college friends.
A classic. How dreamy to just fall into her voice.
MuadDib wrote:
Am I the only one that hears echoes of Roy Orbison here?? lovely song
Not alone.
Am I the only one that hears echoes of Roy Orbison here?? lovely song
Great song for beginner guitar players...like me. Hours of fun.
I love this song.
Who the hell rated this a 1!? Was it you, physicsgenius?
Beanie wrote:
And another new initiate discovers Margo...... :goodvibes:
Somewhere, an angel just got it's CJ wings...
Saw them live last year at an outdoor venue under the stars, on a warm summer night. Ahhh bliss...
arighter2 wrote:
Oh man. What a beautiful voice!
And another new initiate discovers Margo...... :goodvibes:
Oh man. What a beautiful voice!
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
Please make it stop,
Can we remove the frustrated emoticon... or perhaps all of them. I mean how frustrating can it be that Bills playing a cowboy junkies song in a set that it fits with perfectly? I mean, play a CD or something... don't give yourself brain damage.
This song always reminds me of a big ole prairie with nothin in it but a lot of wind-blown grass and time to kill alone
Many CJ fans love this song... for some reason it has never quite resonated with me. Love the band though. One of my least favorite songs of theirs and still a 7 or 8 for me. s