Angel Band

Lyrics: J Hascall
Music: W Bradbury

Played by Jerry with Old And In The Way on 1 October 1973, by Phil Lesh & Friends from 2001 onwards, by The Dead in 2004, and by Furthur in 2013.

The song is credited to Hascall & Bradbury on the recording on the Old And In The Way CD "High Lonesome Sound": they wrote the hymn My Latest Sun Is Sinking Fast on which the song is based. The Stanley Brothers and other bluegrass recordings often credit it as "traditional."

These are the lyrics as sung by Old And In The Way:

My latest sun is sinking fast
My race is nearly run
My longest trials now are past
My triumph has begun

Chorus
Oh come angel band
Come and around me stand
Bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
Bear me away on you snow white wings
To my immortal home

Oh bear my longing soul to him
Who bled and died for me
Whose blood now cleanses from all sins
And brings me victory

[chorus]

[chorus]

At least in some of their performances, Phil Lesh & Friends sing a truncated version:

[with instruments]
Oh, come Angel Band come and around me stand
Oh bear me away on your snow white wings to my immortal home
Oh bear me away on your snow white wings to my immortal home

[accapella]
Oh, come Angel Band come and around me stand
Oh bear me away on your snow white wings to my immortal home
Oh bear me away on your snow white wings to my immortal home

Other versions include two additional verses:

I know I'm near the holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear
I brush the dew on Jordan's banks
The crossing must be near

I've almost gained my heavenly home
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings

Jerry Garcia Recordings
	Date	Album	Recorded By
	1 Oct 1973	That High Lonesome Sound	Old And In The Way

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography