About the song
Background
- Released in 1990 on Randy Travis’s album “This Is Me”.
- The songwriter is credited to Don Schlitz.
- The song tells the story of a peculiar man named Oscar who walks the streets proclaiming himself to be an angel.
Themes
- Faith and the afterlife: The central theme is Oscar’s belief that everyone will go to heaven and become angels.
- Compassion and understanding: The narrator reflects on Oscar’s kindness despite being considered odd by others.
- Life’s impermanence: The lyrics touch on how our actions in this world hold little weight compared to the eternal.
Lyrics
The song follows a simple structure with verses describing Oscar and the narrator’s interactions, and a repeated chorus that captures Oscar’s message:
- Verse 1 introduces Oscar, a local fixture who shouts prophecies, walks long distances, and seems a little off-kilter.
- Chorus relays Oscar’s core belief: everyone will die and become angels, our earthly struggles don’t matter because we’re just lost children on a journey.
- Verse 2 reveals the narrator works at a movie theater and lets Oscar in for free despite him repeatedly watching the same films.
- Chorus repeats.
- Verse 3 The narrator revisits their hometown years later and learns Oscar has been institutionalized and passed away.
- The narrator acknowledges Oscar’s eccentricities but highlights his kindness and lack of judgment.
- The song ends with a reflection on true character.
Overall, “Oscar the Angel” offers a heartwarming perspective on faith, acceptance, and the enduring value of kindness.
Video
Lyrics
Oscar was an angel and he used to walk the streetsShoutin’ out some prophesies at everyone he’d meetHe was a local fixture; like a cop out on a beatFolks said he’d been shell-shocked long agoAnd more than that for no one seemed to know
Oscar was a walker; at least four miles twice a dayThe entire lenght of Main Street he’d be shoutin’ all the wayAnd I had no idea where he heard the things he’d sayBut he was not your normal voice of doom;It was a happy song, sung slightly out of tune
And he’d say, “Everyone will die and go to heavenAnd we will all be angels somedayAnd what you are in this world don’t count for nothin’‘Cause we are only children, we’re just lost along the way,But we will all be angels someday”
Well, I worked at the Rialto; I sold tickets at the doorAnd Oscar, he’d come by most everyday by half past fourAnd he’d pay to see some movieThat he’d seen ten times beforeBut mostly we’d just let him in for freeThen he’d watch five minutes,Then he’d come and talk to me
And he’d say, “Everyone will die and go to heavenAnd we will all be angels somedayAnd what you are in this world don’t count for nothin’‘Cause we are only children, we’re just lost along the way,But we will all be angels someday”
Well, it’s going on ten years nowSince I left my hometownAnd I went back last summerFor a week I hung aroundI looked out for Oscar, he was no where to be foundAnd someone said they finally had to commit himAnd he died before they had time to forget him
Now, I’m not about to argue,Oscar’s train had jumped the trackBut I’ll bet my last dollar on the plain and simple factOscar never said a word about me behind my backAnd the way that I was raised to understandWell, that alone, it makes him the better man
And he’d say, “Everyone will die and go to heavenAnd we will all be angels somedayAnd what you are in this world don’t count for nothin’‘Cause we are only children, we’re just lost along the way,But we will all be angels someday”
Yeah, we will all be angels someday…