The band is not to be confused with Zakk Wylde's solo project (sometimes known as Book of Shadows after its only album) or with Pride & Glory, Wylde's southern rock band.
History
In 1992, Ozzy retired after the No More Tears tour, which led Zakk to form his own solo band Pride & Glory, blending potent bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. In 1994 Ozzy decided to come out of retirement, and the numerous recording sessions for Ozzmosis took place. Around this time, Zakk was also offered the open guitar slot in Guns N' Roses and had a hard time deciding whether to tour with Ozzy or join Guns N' Roses. Neither project panned out. This gave Wylde the opportunity to record his own acoustic solo album, "Book of Shadows." After limited commercial success with Book Of Shadows, in 1998, Zakk and drummer Phil Ondich formed Black Label Society and recorded their debut album "Sonic Brew." Nick Catanese had been Zakk's touring rhythm guitarist since the Book Of Shadows tour (Zakk records all guitars on his albums). Craig Nunenmacher has been drumming for the band since 1919 Eternal (2001) following Phil's departure. Previous bass players include current Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, former Megadeth 4-stringer James Lomenzo, and current Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, who also played with Zakk on the No More Tears, Ozzy tour.
The band had their song "Fire It Up" featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero. Zakk Wylde has an avatar in the video game "Guitar Hero: World Tour", and the song "Stillborn" also appears.
Been A Long Time
Black Label Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that it is, what was, ain't true
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery
Oh Lord, it's been a long time
Doing my best I'll try and get it next time
This cross you bare I've come to break it in two
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery
Oh Lord, it's been a long time
Doing my best I'll try and get it next time
The lyrics to Black Label Society's song Been a Long Time are about perseverance through difficult times. The first few lines speak of how lies can sometimes reveal the truth and how things that were once true can turn out to be lies. The lines "I was down but now I can see, the pain, the hurt, the misery" suggest that the singer has been through a difficult time and has now come out on the other side. The chorus "Oh Lord, it's been a long time, doing my best I'll try and get it next time" speaks of how the singer is trying to improve and do better in the future.
The next few lines speak about the idea of carrying someone's burdens for them. The lines "This cross you bare I've come to carry for you, this cross you bare I've come to break it in two" suggest that the singer is willing to help someone who is struggling and break their burdens apart. The final lines "I was down but now I can see, the pain, the hurt, the misery" reiterate the idea that the singer has dealt with difficulties but has come out stronger and now wants to help others who may be struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
The death, the lies, in lies the truth
Even when people lie, there is often a kernel of truth hidden within their words
All that it is, what was, ain't true
Everything that has happened before may not be completely true, as memories can be unreliable or biased
I was down but now I can see
I used to be in a bad place, but now I have gained perspective and can see more clearly
The pain, the hurt, the misery
The negative emotions I felt before are still present, but I am better equipped to deal with them
Oh Lord, it's been a long time
I have been struggling with these issues for a long time and it is a relief to see progress
Doing my best I'll try and get it next time
I will continue to work hard and try to succeed despite setbacks
This cross you bare I've come to carry for you
I am here to support you and help you through your struggles
This cross you bare I've come to break it in two
I want to help you overcome the burdens that have been weighing you down
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZACHARY P WYLDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew
I've come 2 break it into.
The death, the lies, in lies the truth
All that it is, what was, ain't true
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery
Oh lord, it's been a long time
Doing my best I'll try and get it next time
This cross you bare I've come to carry for you
This cross you bare I've come to break it in two
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery.
Matthew
I've come 2 break it into.
The death, the lies, in lies the truth
All that it is, what was, ain't true
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery
Oh lord, it's been a long time
Doing my best I'll try and get it next time
This cross you bare I've come to carry for you
This cross you bare I've come to break it in two
I was down but now I can see
The pain, the hurt, the misery.
David Parker
@HYPERCUBE AMEN
Angie Hughes
3 good we're doing are you putting
juan phillips
this is one of my favorite BLS songs
James W
Gotta love his music for sure
David Parcher
So bad ass. "The cross you bear I've come to carry for you, the cross you bear I've come to break it in two." Can you say "Hell Yeah"
Jason Ruch
These lyrics get me thru a lot of shit. I can listen 2 this song 20x in a row, never gets old.
Giorgia Tegon
I Love Black Label Society.
Courtney Zyber
One of the best of the best!
michael rollo
Hellz yeah!!