Long Black Veil

(album: Story Songs Of Mountains And Valleys - 1964)

Ten years ago, on a cold dark night
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene, but they all agree
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
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife

She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows and nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

The scaffold was high and eternity near
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 all alone

She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows and nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

Nobody knows but me