The Long Black Veil by The Band

Up until now most of the entries have been about particular artists or CDs. This one will be the first that highlights song lyrics. Choosing favorite songs should not be disservice to those of the artist that were not chosen. Long Black Veil is a haunting story told in just a few words. Your mind conjures images as the mournful notes penetrate your psyche. Click on the link to take you to the jpg site where the picture was found - it is not a link to the musicians.

Long Black Veil

---

by M.J.Wilkin and D.Dill. Album: Music from Big Pink

For more about this song, see Peter Viney's article.

---

G
Ten years ago on a cool dark night
      D                         C         G
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
G
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
     D                    C        G
That the man who ran looked a lot like me

The judge said "Son, what is your alibi?
If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die"
I spoke not a word although it meant my life
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife

C           G          C          G
She walks these hills in a long black veil
C         G               C           G
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
G                     C      G
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
C      G     D   C
Nobody knows but me

The scaffold was high and eternity neared
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
In a long black veil she cries over my bones