Long Black Veil
Dave Matthews & Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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Someone was killed beneath the townhall light
There were few at the scene, but they all agreed
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
If you were somewhere else, then you won't have to die."
I said not a word, though it meant my life,
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife.
Oh, she walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.
Oh, now the scaffold is high, eternity is near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
And sometimes at night when the cold winds blow
In a long black veil she cries over my bones.
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.
Oh, she walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.
Nobody knows. nobody knows, but me.
Nobody knows but me.
The lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's song Long Black Veil tells a story of a man who was falsely accused of murder which he couldn't defend against because he was in a compromising situation with his best friend's wife. As the story unfolds, the man who was accused and knew deep down he was not guilty chooses not to defend himself so as not to implicate his best friend's wife, who was in fact the real murderer. The woman who killed the victim visited the accused man's grave often and wept in a long black veil, thereby concealing her true identity.
The song tells a story that speaks to love, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions. It highlights the depth of human emotions and the lengths people will go to protect the people they love. The lyrics also depict a deep sense of remorse and regret from the singer because he had to take the blame for a crime he did not commit to protect his best friend's reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago on a cold dark night
It all began ten years ago on an eerie night.
Someone was killed beneath the townhall light
The life of someone ended that fateful night under the dim light of the town hall.
There were few at the scene, but they all agreed
There were not many people around but those who were, recognized the perpetrator.
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
I was believed to be the murderer because the man who fled looked suspiciously similar to me.
She walks these hills in a long black veil
A woman wanders these hills in mourning attire.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
As the winds howl, she visits my burial place.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
No one else has any idea about her presence or actions except for me.
The judge said "son, what is your aliby?
The judge asked me for my alibi.
If you were somewhere else, then you won't have to die.
The judge hinted that if I'd been somewhere else, I might not be facing the possibility of execution.
I said not a word, though it meant my life,
Remaining silent might mean that I must pay with my life, but I refused to speak.
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife.
I kept my silence because I was with my best friend's spouse and didn't want to reveal the truth.
Oh, now the scaffold is high, eternity is near
Now that I'm on the verge of execution, I realize that I'm about to face everlasting consequences.
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
The woman blended in with the gathering and didn't cry a single tear.
And sometimes at night when the cold winds blow
Occasionally, when the chilly winds come in,
In a long black veil she cries over my bones.
She weeps in despair over my remains, dressed in a long black veil.
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She still dons the mourning attire and walks through these hills.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Whenever the night winds start to howl, she visits my tombstone.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.
Her sorrowful and secret acts are known solely to me.
Oh, she walks these hills in a long black veil
The woman continues to roam around in the same mourning attire.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
During nights with gusting winds, she comes to my resting place.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.
Again, I stress that just I alone am aware of her private visits.
Nobody knows. nobody knows, but me.
Nobody else knows, except for me.
Nobody knows but me.
For a final time, it is only I who is aware of her actions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Danny Dill, Marijohn Wilkin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@p2gee
When it comes to female singers, regardless of genre, you simply cant get any better than Emmylou Harris
@RicOshayed1
Joni Mitchell maybe ?
@jamesbonnell4597
P. Cline.
@ensinitas
never smart to state a best ever on the yootoob...but she is certainly amongst the very best of the very best
@BobSmith-rg4rh
Dolly!
@z06king
So missing Linda Ronstadt singing with Emmylou. Linda contracted a neurologic disease which took her beautiful voice.
@Tutone66
Emmylou's voice is hauntingly beautiful and perfect for this song.
@patculpepper9662
Love this song......Love Dave and Love Emmylou Harris.
God bless ......
@moranplano
I've listened to so many renditions of this song, but Emmy Lou's ANGELIC VOICE makes this rendition stand out..above all the rest..!
@3goodtimes
Emmylou's voice sounds so ethereal and gorgeous. I still remember this performance years later and re-watch it often.