Long Black Veil
The Stranglers Lyrics

Ten years ago
This event happened ten years ago, setting the context of the song.

On a cold dark night
The night of the crime was cold and dark, creating a somber atmosphere.

Someone was killed
A murder occurred that night, creating the conflict of the song.

'Neath the Town Hall light
The murder took place under the light of the town hall, providing a specific setting.

Few were at the scene
There were not many people present during the murder, making it difficult to identify the killer.

But they all did agree
Those who were present could agree on one thing - that the killer looked like the singer of the song.

The slayer who ran
The person identified as the killer fled the scene, adding to the suspicion.

Looked a lot like me
The singer is confessing that he is the one who was identified as the killer.

The judge said, "son
The court case began, and the judge addresses the defendant.

What is your alibi?
The judge wants to hear the defendant's alibi - an explanation of where he was at the time of the murder.

If you were somewhere else
If the defendant had an alibi, he wouldn't have to face the death penalty.

You won't have to die"
The judge is convinced that the defendant is guilty and will sentence him to death if he doesn't provide a solid alibi.

Well I spoke not a word
The defendant chooses not to tell the truth or provide an alibi, even though his life depends on it.

Although it meant my life
The defendant realizes that staying quiet means he will be found guilty and sentenced to death.

For I had been in the arms
The defendant reveals that he was having an affair with his best friend's wife.

Of my best friend's wife
The person the defendant was having an affair with was his best friend's wife, providing a motive for the murder.

She walks these hills
The woman the defendant was having an affair with haunts him by stalking his grave.

In a long black veil
The woman he was having an affair with wears a long black veil, adding to her mystery and ghostly presence.

She visits my grave
The woman visits the grave of the man she helped to kill.

When the night winds wail
Her visits are accompanied by the sound of the wind, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Nobody knows, nobody sees
The woman visits the grave secretly, and no one else knows about it.

Nobody knows but me
The defendant is the only one aware of the woman's grave visits, adding to his guilt and sense of unease.

The scaffold was high
The defendant faces the death penalty and will be executed by hanging.

And eternity near
The defendant is faced with the reality of his impending death.

She stood in the crowd
The woman who helped kill the defendant watches the execution alongside the other onlookers.

And shed not a tear
Despite her involvement in the murder, the woman shows no emotion during the defendant's execution.

But sometimes at night
The woman still thinks about the murder and her role in it.

When the cold wind moans
Her memories are triggered by the sound of the wind, which creates a melancholic atmosphere.

She cries o'er my bones
The woman feels remorse for her actions and grieves over the defendant's grave.

Nobody knows, nobody sees
Her grief and guilt are her own, and no one else knows about them.

Nobody knows but me
The defendant is the only one who understands the woman's feelings of regret and sorrow.