Story Behind The Song
This entire song came out of a conversation I had with a homeless man who was standing outside of a restaurant I was playing at later that night. He gave me his life story. I gave him enough to get a decent meal. And I walked away with the idea for this song. The last verse ("that angel...it might be you") came to me while sitting in church a few weeks later.
Note: An acoustic version of this song is also available.
Song Description
A conversation between the narrator and musician and homeless man. As the homeless man details his life story and explains what it's like to be in his spot, the narrator remembers a bible verse that says many people have unknowingly entertained angels in human form. The narrator wonder if he's really talking to an angel. The homeless man turns it around and tells the narrator that by stopping and giving him his time, that *he* might actually be the real angel.
| Song Length |
3:03 |
Genre |
Folk - Rock, Folk - Religious |
| Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
Mood |
Gracious, Poignant |
| Subject |
Angels, Friend |
Similar Artists |
Bob Dylan, John Cougar Mellencamp |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
The sign said he'd work for food
I doubted it
he didn't look so good
But I gave him a couple of bucks
like everyone did
I turned to walk away
Heard, "Bless you son. Have a good day"
Then remembered something I learned
When I was a kid
Chorus
You might be entertaining an angel
When you give some time
To someone you don't know
Entertaining an angel
You might meet one anywhere you go
He said, "I could stand here and scream and shout"
Nobody sees you when you're down and out
I stayed for awhile - saw it again and again We talked for awhile 'til I had to go
Gave him a twenty, but you know
I think he only needed someone to listen to him
Chorus
You might be entertaining an angel
When you give some time
To someone you don't know
Entertaining an angel
You might meet one anywhere you go
Bridge
I don't know where you've been
What you went through or when
But I won't look away
I might need you to look at me someday
I shook his hand as I turned to leave
Still thinking about the angels, and then he...Smiled and said, "I read that in the bible, too" "Stranger things have happened, son"
Never know who'll you meet when you help someone
But that angel...it might be you
Chorus
You might be entertaining an angel
When you give some time
To someone you don't know
Entertaining an angel
You might meet one anywhere you go
Yeah, you might meet one anywhere you go