Long Black Veil
New Riders Of The Purple Sage Lyrics
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Ten years ago, on a cold dark night
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
There were few there at the scene, but they all agreed
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
Chorus
Visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows, but 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
For I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife
[chorus]
The gallows were close and eternity near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
Sometimes at night, when the cold winds blow (note 2)
In a long black veil, she cries o'er my bones
[chorus]
Nobody knows but me
The song "Long Black Veil" by New Riders of the Purple Sage tells the story of a man who is wrongly accused and convicted of a crime that he did not commit. The first verse of the song sets the scene, describing the night when someone was killed under the town hall light, and the witnesses all claim that the killer looked "a lot like me." However, the singer doesn't defend himself when he is asked for his alibi, even though he knows that he was actually sleeping with his best friend's wife at the time of the murder. He would rather die than reveal the truth, and so he is hanged for a crime he didn't commit. The chorus of the song introduces the idea of a mysterious woman who walks the hills in a long black veil, visiting the singer's grave and crying over his bones. She is the only one who knows the truth of what really happened that night.
The second verse of the song describes the day of the singer's execution, with his lover's wife standing in the crowd but refusing to cry. The final verse brings the song back to the chorus, repeating the idea that the woman in the long black veil is the only one who knows the truth. The song is haunting and sad, with a sense of the injustice that can happen when people are too quick to judge.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago, on a cold dark night
The singer is recalling a specific event that occurred a decade ago on a cold and dark night.
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
A person was murdered under the light of the town hall.
There were few there at the scene, but they all agreed
There were not many witnesses, but those who were present all came to the same conclusion.
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
The people at the scene believed that the person who committed the murder resembled the artist.
She walks these hills in a long black veil (note 1)
An unknown woman wanders the hills wearing a long black veil.
Visits my grave when the night winds wail
During the howling of the wind at night, this woman visits the singer's grave.
Nobody knows, nobody sees
No one is aware of this woman's actions or presence.
Nobody knows, but me
The artist is the only one who knows about this woman and her activities.
The judge said son, what is your alibi?
The judge asked the artist for an alibi to prove his innocence.
If you were somewhere else, then you won't have to die
If the artist could provide an alibi, he would be cleared of any wrongdoing and spared the death penalty.
I spoke not a word, though it meant my life
The singer chose to remain silent even though it could result in his execution.
For I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife
The real reason the artist could not provide an alibi was that he was with his best friend's wife at the time of the murder.
The gallows were close and eternity near
The execution by hanging was imminent, and death seemed inevitable.
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
The unknown woman who wears a long black veil was present in the crowd but did not show any emotional reaction.
Sometimes at night, when the cold winds blow (note 2)
Occasionally, when the frigid wind blows at night, something significant happens.
In a long black veil, she cries o'er my bones
The woman with the long black veil weeps over the artist's bones.
Nobody knows but me
The secret of this woman's actions and emotions is known only to the artist.
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Orin Nusbaum
That lick Buddy Cage hits at 2:07 makes my heart skip a beat every time. One of his best solos ever IMO
Owen Smith
hell yea bud feel the same
sian chetty
It's stunning. I remember gently swinging back and forth on my Grandma's rocking chair, with a glass of Southern Comfort. At the same time enjoying this gorgeous song and all the other ones on Gypsy Cowboy. Those boys had the most beautiful voices that kept me sane through some pretty tough times as a child.
Dave Sleeper
Love this song & the New Riders. Saw them front the Dead at Boston Music Hall in the winter of 72-73 or 73-74. Great show !
Mathew Fines
My favorite rendition of this song
dick nose
great tune, love the dead and the bands versions of it too
Larry Watkins
IMHO, Don Walser's version is the best; the high, clear, powerful vocal is thrilling
Yhendorn Miraphyra
Beautiful!
George Moore
Johnny Cash at folsom is hands down the best version.
Joe Montani
Joan Baez gave a great vocal rendition. Not to be missed. Very moving and inspirational to any musician. But fine pedal steel highlights here! Still, check Joan Baez for the clear lyrics.