Seven Guitars takes place in 1948, set in the dirt backyard of a brick apartment building in Pittsburgh. A run-down flight of wooden stairs leads to the second-floor apartments where Louise, who owns the building, and Hedley live. Vera lives in an apartment on the first floor. The play begins shortly after the funeral of Floyd Barton, who had been a blues singer with a rising career. Louise, Hedley, Vera, Canewell, and Red Carter have been eating and drinking. Louise sings a provocative drinking song. Canewell and Red argue over a piece of sweet potato pie until Vera interjects that there is enough for everyone. Red and Canewell praise the preacher who had officiated their friend’s service. Vera asks, “Did you see them angels out there in the cemetery” (2)? Canewell and Red agree that they saw six formally dressed men. They debate whether the men had been from the funeral home, and Louise, exasperated, exclaims that they were and that no one had seen any angels.

Canewell recalls that during the burial, the six men had gathered around the grave as if to prevent mourners from throwing dirt on the casket.