Help with the lyrics to this song.

[DMD3]

Long Black Veil

Ten years ago, on a cold dark night
Someone was killed, 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene, but they all agreed
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, thou it meant my life
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife

Chorus
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

Oh, the scaffold is high and eternity's near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But late at night, when the north wind blows
In a long black veil, she cries ov're my bones

Who was killed?

[Janice]

DMD, where did you hear this song? It's one of my all time favorite songs! I know most people know it by The Band, but I've never even heard their cover of it - I like Lefty Frizzel's cover.

Who was killed? Some unfortunate individual who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The person killed isn't really the focus of the song. The focus is a guy dying for a crime he didn't commit because he didn't want to admit to the indiscretion that would absolve him of the crime. He chose to make this sacrifice instead of hurting his best friend and his best friend's wife.

Anyway, great song!

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by Janice:
DMD, where did you hear this song? It's one of my all time favorite songs! I know most people know it by The Band, but I've never even heard their cover of it - I like Lefty Frizzel's cover.

Who was killed? Some unfortunate individual who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The person killed isn't really the focus of the song. The focus is a guy dying for a crime he didn't commit because he didn't want to admit to the indiscretion that would absolve him of the crime. He chose to make this sacrifice instead of hurting his best friend and his best friend's wife.

Anyway, great song!

I love this song too. One of my fondest memories of the last Saratoga gathering was listening to Ed sing it.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[Janice]

quote:Originally posted by Cathy:
I love this song too. One of my fondest memories of the last Saratoga gathering was listening to Ed sing it.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com



Me Too!!! He did a great job of it. I was very glad I asked if anyone knew it http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

[brink]

Great song, I also remember the Lefty version.

[Janice]

quote:Originally posted by brink:
Great song, I also remember the Lefty version.

I found it by accident when I was a teenager going through my parents old record collection. That was the first time I ever heard the song and it's been a favorite ever since. I've heard many nice covers of it, but Lefty's still has that place in my heart - guess it's because it was the first one I heard.