At the age of 14 (1957) Danko booked himself as an opening act for ronnie hawkins, & his band The Hawks. Hawkins asked Danko to join his band as a rythym guitarist, though later he would have Danko learn the bass, and by 1960 was Hawkins' bassist.
Around 1963 The Hawks broke away from Hawkins and the members (including Danko) would go on to continue as the Levon Helm Sextet (later renamed to The Canadian Squires and Levon and the Hawks).
In 1965, Bob Dylan recruited Levon and the Hawks to accompany him on his 1965/66 wold tour. However, Levon Helm chose not to tour with Dylan and was replaced on the tour by drummer Mickey Jones. In 1968, Danko and The Hawks, who had moved to Woodstock, where they began to be referred to as simply "the band," began recording with Dylan in the basement of a big pink house that Danko had rented (and which would soon become famous on its on as "Big Pink"). With Levon Helm back in the fold, they also released their first demo, allowing them to secure a record deal with Capitol Records. Working over the next few months, the five-piece band recorded what would become their debut album, Music From Big Pink. At this time, the group more or less officially changed their name from The Hawks to The Band, this time with a capital "B." Shortly after the album was released, Danko was seriously injured in a car crash, breaking his neck and back in nine places. Though he was laid up in traction for many weeks, he recovered and worked with The Band until 1976, when the group did their final concert at San Francisco's Winterland. The film of the concert, directed by Martin Scorsese, was released as "The Last Waltz" in 1978.
Danko would go on to record solo work on Arista Records, releasing his first solo work in 1977 (his self-titled debut). In the early 1990s, Danko teamed with Jonas Fjeld and Eric Andersen and three albums were released, Danko/Fjeld/Andersen in 1991, Ridin' on the Blinds in 1994, and One More Shot in 2001. Danko released a live album in 1997 (Rick Danko in Concert), and, in 1999, he released Live on Breeze Hill, which featured a new studio version of his much-loved song, "Sip the Wine" (the original version was on his first studio album) and was already working on material for his next work called Times Like These. On December 10, 1999, Danko's heart gave out and he passed away in his sleep. Times Like These was released posthumously the following year.
Long Black Veil
Rick Danko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall lights
There were few at the scene but they all agree
That the slayer 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 when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
The scaffold is high and eternity near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But some times 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 when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
The song "Long Black Veil" by Rick Danko is a haunting and emotional ballad about a man who is falsely accused and sentenced to hang for a murder he didn't commit. The singer, who is the accused, knows who the real killer is but is unable to reveal the identity of the person who could save his life without implicating himself in an extramarital affair. The woman with whom the singer was having the affair visits his grave, wearing a long black veil, to mourn his death and the loss of their love.
The song reflects the themes of guilt, secrets, and betrayal. The singer is torn between protecting the woman he loves and speaking the truth that could save his own life. The woman, on the other hand, is left to suffer alone in silence and secrecy, concealing her involvement in the affair and her grief at the loss of her lover.
The lyrics are poignant and powerful, and the melody is simple yet beautiful. The song has been covered by various artists over the years and has become a classic in the country and folk genres.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago on a cold dark night
This event took place a decade ago during a chilly, obscure night.
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall lights
An individual was murdered under the luminosity of the town hall lighting.
There were few at the scene but they all agree
There weren't many people present, but they all have a consensus.
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
The perpetrator who made a run for it, bore a striking resemblance to myself.
The judge said, "Son, what is your alibi
The judge asked me, 'What do you have as your proof of being elsewhere?'
If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die"
If you weren't present at the scene, you wouldn't have to face capital punishment.
I spoke not a word though it meant my life
Not uttering a syllable could have endangered my life.
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife
My whereabouts were hidden because I was with my best friend's spouse.
She walks these hills in a long black veil
My lover wanders these hills shrouded in a lengthy, dark veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
She stops by my tombstone when the gusts of wind howl.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
Nobody except me, is privy to her visits.
The scaffold is high and eternity near
The gallows are lofty and the afterlife looms close.
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
She stood amidst the masses, expressionless, unemotional.
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
But occasionally at night when the chilly breeze whimpers
In a long black veil she cries over my bones
She drops tears over my remains, draping herself in a long, sombre veil.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
Nobody except me is cognizant of her weeping.
Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me
Only me is knowledgeable about her veiled travels and melancholy laments.
Contributed by Micah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tariq Sattaur
Rick Danko is my hero as a singer and bass player. A community musician that played for himself and for the people as it seemed to me, and I have always aspired to be. This genuine music will live long as Sam Cooke and Hank Williams his influences. A small town guy from Norfolk County, Ontario that changed rock and roll for the better, for me at least!
Milli Denney
I really loved Danko and The Band performing this musical treasure. I have to admit that this version has nestled itself in the first position. I just enjoy singing voices together, harmonizing and everybody doing their interpretation and enjoying themselves. Music does NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
I regret it has taken me so long to discover this song, I've sung and played in a pickin' and grinnin' group, and this was one of my contributions. Absolute masterpiece, the more people join in singing the better it gets.
What a precious gift these videos here for so many people to enjoy big time!
From the bottom of my Dutch heart I thank you for sharing this gem.❤❤❤
mario7frankielee
can’t get better than this!
on all levels
Connie Bessette
what a gem! thank you❤
Jeff Sartain
Rick always sang this song with that ole "sadness" in his voice.
Patrick Rossi
Great harmonies.
denyse mcalister
Love it!
def717
I just love this. Thank you Happy.
Victor Michael Zamora
Completely stellar❤️❤️🎶.
Margaret Maskara
very very nice. got that woodstock feel