>are there ANY trad songs that feature angels? I'd only expect to find them in the cringey fringe of country music.

>maybe Dylan was brought up in a tradition that thought angels

Yeah, and it's especially possible when you consider it quite likely that such a song would have ultimately made its way to him via older country artists there are thusly inclined, Stanley Brothers, etc.

Incidentally in reference to Dylan's country influences, though not the "strange/weird folk" of the thread topic, if anyone hasn't heard him do "Rank Stranger" (only live versions on YouTube, the studio from 'Down in the Groove' is my preference by far), it's highly recommended. Regardless, he definitely pays attention to such artists and it stands to reason that could explain how the "angels" reference came to him.