Since the band's inception, there have been over fifteen musicians in and out of King Diamond, with the only two mainstays being vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Andy LaRocque. In 1987 the band released their second studio release Abigail (their first concept album). Throughout the 1980s, King Diamond released a total of four studio albums. In the early 1990s, the band was put on hold when King Diamond reunited with his former outfit Mercyful Fate. After reforming King Diamond in 1994, Diamond would balance recording and touring with both Mercyful Fate and his eponymous band throughout the 90's. Since the early 2000s, King Diamond have kept recording and touring and, since 2014, the band has been composed of vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Andy LaRocque, guitarist Mike Wead, drummer Matt Thompson, and bassist Pontus Egberg.
The Family Ghost
King Diamond Lyrics
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Following night
And Miriam slept like a rock when
Jonathan's face went white
The bedroom was ice cold
But the fire was burning still
The blinding light
Don't be scared, don't be scared now my friend
I am count de lafey
Let me take you to the crypt down below
Where Abigail rests
Let Miriam sleep
She never would understand
Now come let us go... it's time to know
Beware of the slippery stairs
You could easily fall and break your neck
Hand me that torch and I will lead the way
To the secret in the dark
Take a look into the vault, the vault
The sarcophagus...of a child
Abigail has been in here for years and years
Stillborn, born... born... born
The spirit of Abigail is inside your wife
And there's only one way you can stop
The rebirth of evil itself
You must take her life now
The lyrics of King Diamond's song The Family Ghost tells a supernatural tale where the singer, Jonathan, is visited by the ghost of his ancestors, Count De LaFey, who convinces him to murder his wife, Miriam. The song narrates how the ghost of the family reappears in the bedroom, telling Jonathan about the spirit of Abigail, who exists inside the body of his wife, and how she must be sacrificed to end the rebirth of evil.
The lyrics are narrated in the form of a story with a spine-chilling effect. The eerie tone is created by the choice of words, the usage of slow and rhythmic music, and the use of sound and light effects. The lyrics also show a conflict between evil and good. On one side, the ghost of Abigail is representing evil, and on the other, Miriam portrays good.
The Family Ghost is a prime example of King Diamond’s expertise in crafting terrifying tales through the medium of music. The lyrics and the song itself undoubtedly stand out as an intense and compelling story, effectively combining macabre storytelling with haunting music.
Line by Line Meaning
The darkness came closer to home on the
Following night
The ominous presence that seemed far away earlier has now come closer to their home, and the atmosphere is getting uncomfortable.
And Miriam slept like a rock when
Jonathan's face went white
While the singer was disturbed by the ghost's arrival, Miriam remained oblivious to it and continued sleeping soundly.
The bedroom was ice cold
But the fire was burning still
The blinding light
The family ghost had risen again...the ghost
Despite the fire burning, there was an inexplicable chill in the air. Suddenly, a bright, blinding light appears, announcing the return of the family ghost.
Don't be scared, don't be scared now my friend
I am count de lafey
Let me take you to the crypt down below
Where Abigail rests
The ghost identifies himself as Count de LaFey and urges the artist to follow him to the family crypt where Abigail, a deceased member of the family, is buried.
Let Miriam sleep
She never would understand
Now come let us go... it's time to know
The ghost instructs the artist to leave his wife behind as she wouldn't comprehend what was happening and go with him to discover the truth behind Abigail's death.
Beware of the slippery stairs
You could easily fall and break your neck
Hand me that torch and I will lead the way
To the secret in the dark
The ghost warns of the dangerous stairs, and after the singer hands over a torch, the ghost leads the way to a hidden secret in the crypt.
Take a look into the vault, the vault
The sarcophagus...of a child
Abigail has been in here for years and years
Stillborn, born... born... born
The ghost shows the singer the vault where Abigail's corpse has been lying for years since she was a stillborn child.
The spirit of Abigail is inside your wife
And there's only one way you can stop
The rebirth of evil itself
You must take her life now
The ghost reveals a shocking truth: the spirit of Abigail has possessed the artist's wife, and in order to prevent the rebirth of evil, he must kill her.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIM BENDIX PETERSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wim Van der Straeten
Whether you like King Diamond's voice or not, you can't deny that he has a unique vocal style. He doesn't sound like a thousand other vocalists.
Living Soule
@joe dirtbag666 Well, Elmo was a monster so...
Predetermined Meat
@TheFreedomofLivingyou have to take into fact. He made that voice. MF Was way ahead of their time
joe dirtbag666
i like KD alot but he sounds a bit like Elmo at times 😆
Eric V
@TheFreedomofLiving What? King Diamond's voice is not of this world...
chris C
The Abagail story is one of the best concept metal albums of all time! I wish it could be made into a mini movie and feature all the songs on the album. How amazing would this be??? The story is told so eloquently through the songs and lyrics such a masterpiece!!!!
Io
I loved Abigail. But really, all of their music was exceptional.
Jonathan Turner
Agreed He's a Great Story teller.
Rudy Rosas
King Diamond's music is very unique....not the typical metal of the 80's.
Gabriela C
there's a visual novel based on it!