(Marijohn Wilkin/Danny Dill)
original: Lefty Fr… Read Full Bio ↴LONG BLACK VEIL
(Marijohn Wilkin/Danny Dill)
original: Lefty Frizzell (1959) - Columbia
> Saga song inspired by true facts: the murder of a New Jersey priest and the confusing story of a veiled woman visiting Rudolph Valentino's grave with fresh flowers every day. In the song a man is convicted for murdering his best friend. He had an alibi but couldn't produce it in court: while the killing took place the widow shared his bed. Story told from the perspective of the executed in his own grave, visited by his loved one in mourning. This song revitalised Lefty's career. With Marijohn Wilkin on piano. This song is much younger than it looks.
covers: Country Gentlemen (1959) , Carl Mann (1960) , Joan Baez (1960) , Marijohn Wilkin (1961) own answer version as My Long Black Veil with slightly different lyrics: 'The few at the scene were wrong as can be, cause the man they accused that night was with me', Johnny Rivers (1962) , Johnny Cash (1965) , Bobby Bare (1966) , Marianne Faithfull (1967) , Band (1968) , Marsha Hunt (1969) , New Riders Of The Purple Sage (1972) , Sammi Smith (1974) , Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1986) , Proclaimers (1990) , Don Walser (1995) , Chieftains with Mick Jagger (1995) , Rick Danko (1997) almost 7 minute version, Dave Matthews Band (1999) , Harry Manx (2003) ,
> Frizzell was a Grand Ole' Opry star and an ex prize fighter with a fearsome left hand, hence his nickname Lefty. See also: Always Late (With Your Kisses).
Long Black Veil
Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
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, though it meant my life
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
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
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
Nobody knows but me
The Band's "Long Black Veil" is a haunting tale of love, loss, and the perils of keeping a secret. The song tells the story of a man who is accused of murder and condemned to hang for a crime he did not commit. He remains silent, not wanting to reveal that he was having an affair with his best friend's wife, who could provide his alibi. At the end of the song, the singer reveals that he is dead and the woman who was his lover now visits his grave in a long black veil, mourning him in secret.
The song's lyrics are steeped in tradition, evoking the sound and feel of classic country ballads. The story is timeless, one that could have been told in any era, in any language. The themes are universal – jealousy, betrayal, loyalty, and redemption. It is a song that draws you in with its melody and holds you with its haunting lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago, on a cool dark night
10 years ago, on a cold, dark night
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
Someone was killed under the light of the town hall
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
There were few witnesses and they all agreed
That the man who ran looked a lot like me
The man who ran from the scene looked like me
The judge said, "son, what is your alibi?"
The judge asked, 'What is your alibi?'
"If you were somewhere else, then you won't have to die"
'If you were somewhere else, you wouldn't have to die,' he said
I spoke not a word, though it meant my life
I didn't say anything, even though my life depended on it
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife
I had been having an affair with my best friend's wife
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She walks around these hills wearing a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
She visits my grave where the winds are wailing
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
No one knows, and no one sees
Nobody knows but me
Only I know
The scaffold was high and eternity neared
The gallows were high, and eternity was approaching
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
She stood in the crowd and didn't cry
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
But sometimes at night, when the cold wind is howling
In a long black veil, she cries over my bones
She cries over my bones while wearing a long black veil
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She walks around these hills wearing a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
She visits my grave where the winds are wailing
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
No one knows, and no one sees
Nobody knows but me
Only I know
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Danny Dill, Marijohn Wilkin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
Ten years ago on a cold dark night,
A man killed 'neath the town hall light.
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
That the man who ran looked a lot like me.
Well, 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, though it meant my life,
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife.
She walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my grave where the night winds wail.
Nobody knows, nobody sees,
Nobody knows but me.
Well, the scaffold is high and eternity's near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear.
But sometimes at night when the cold winds moan
In a long black veil, Lord, she cries all o'er my bones.
She walks these hills in a long black veil.
And visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows, nobody sees,
Nobody knows but me.
Nobody knows, nobody sees,
Nobody knows but me.
@marksmith1375
Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, & Richard Manuel. It doesn't get much better than this.
@U2SaxFan
Growing up with a father that's a huge Band fan, I've grown up hearing this song and did not find out until I was older that it's not a Band original. I've recently heard the original by Lefty Frizzell. It's great and I can see why people call it a country classic (and I agree it is), but this is still an amazing cover. I always loved how Rick Danco sang it. All in all, The Band nailed it.
@wyattetzel926
danko's voice is something else...
@kentferver3161
And that is why they are called The BAND
@gilkenson53
So many of their songs have the dust of the past on them.....
@richdys
Great Album. This is the kind of music bands make. A lost art today. Five guys combining their strengths and weaknesses to make a unique sound only they can make.
@wfc1987
richdys I like how you mentioned their weaknesses as well...so true!
@fiendclub420
and there anus.
@johncarlson7338
This is the best version of this country classic. Cash does it, but this is the best version.
@deadgoondee
Completely a matter of opinion.I prefer Lefty's then Cash then Hank Williams III then this.Although this is ten thousand times better than Dave Mathews version...and that is a fact.