The Move evolved from several mid-1960s Birmingham-based groups, including Carl Wayne & The Vikings, The Nightriders & The Mayfair Set. The group's name seems to refer to the move various members of these bands made to form the group. Beside Roy Wood, the original members of the Move were drummer Bev Bevan, bassist Chris "Ace" Kefford, vocalist Carl Wayne & guitarist Trevor Burton.
Their first single, 'Night of Fear' was released in 1966 and was the first in a line of memorable hits penned chiefly by Roy Wood.
'I Can Hear the Grass Grow', 'Blackberry Way' & Flowers in the Rain (the latter being the first record played on BBC Radio 1), are The Move's better known work not forgetting 1971's 'Tonight'. The group became more experimental and innovative as time went on especially on the albums 'Shazam' and 'Message from the Country'.
Several changes left the final line-up in 1971 as Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan, evolving into the first incarnation of Electric Light Orchestra which Wood left soon after to form Wizzard.
Long Black Veil
The Move Lyrics
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There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
That the man 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 although it meant my life
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
Nobody knows but me
The sky froze high and eternity neared
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
In a long black veil she cries over my bones
The Move's Long Black Veil is a beautiful and haunting song that tells a story of a man who is accused of a murder he did not commit. It all started ten years ago on a dark night, where someone was killed under the town hall light. There were few witnesses, and they all agreed that the killer looked a lot like the person who is telling the story. The judge offers the accused man a chance for freedom if he provides a credible alibi. However, the man keeps quiet and acknowledges that silence means his death sentence. The reason for his silence is that he was in the arms of his best friend's wife and cannot admit to the affair.
The woman in question walks the hills in a long black veil, and as the man is put to death, she visits his grave where the night winds wail. Nobody else knows about their relationship; nobody else knows that he is not guilty of the murder. The chorus of the song highlights the woman's grief and secrets, as she cries over his bones in the long black veil on some nights. The song tells a story of love, guilt, and secrecy and how it can lead to tragic consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago on a cool dark night
It happened a decade ago, the night was chilly and dark
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
The murder took place in the light of the town hall
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
The witnesses were scarce but they were all certain about one thing
That the man who ran looked a lot like me
The fleeing suspect resembled the artist of the story
The judge said ``Son, what is your alibi?
The judge asked the defendant to provide an alibi
If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die''
The judge offered a way out if the defendant could prove his innocence
I spoke not a word although it meant my life
The singer maintained a stoic silence despite the outcome being a matter of life and death
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife
The reason for the artist's silence was that he was having an affair with his best friend's wife
She walks these hills in a long black veil
The woman involved in the affair is often seen walking around the hills draped in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
She mourns the artist by visiting his grave where the winds wail mournfully
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
No one except the singer knows about the affair and the murder
Nobody knows but me
Only the artist is aware of his guilt and the truth
The sky froze high and eternity neared
The atmosphere is described as being frigid and profound
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
Even though she was in the crowd, the woman didn't weep
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
Sometimes at night when the wind moans sorrowfully
In a long black veil she cries over my bones
She mourns over the artist's bones, still wearing the long black veil
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Danny Dill, Marijohn Wilkin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briangallagher2236
A few others covered this until The Band’s version.
@margaretbrady9158
That's a Irish song.