Anderson, John - Long Black Veil Lyrics






Ten years ago on a cold dark night
A man was killed 'neath the town hall lights
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, though it meant my life
I'd been in the arms of my best friends wife

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

The scaffold is high and eternity's near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But some times at night when the cold winds blow
In a long black veil, Lord, she cries over my bones

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

Lord, nobody knows, Lord, and nobody sees
Nobody knows, but me





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Anderson, John Long Black Veil Comments
  1. V.... Z....

    %3 particular reason @#gEORGecROSs it's been that way since the gitgo. Yeah
    https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/97607753/
    Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1966 ...
    https://static-media.fox.com/dcg/fs/Fox_Networks_DCG_-_FOX_Broadcasting/29/953/Lethal_Weapon_ep_210_clip_1__121217_stitch_1513113931092_212x119.fs
    {"height":119,"width":212,"startTime":0,"endTime":66734 ...
    https://gramho.com/explore-hashtag/ASKMe
    #ASKMe Instagram posts - Gramho.com
    http://www.test.cocon.se/18/7/14/11/9/10/15/5/17/1/6/4/3/16/9/12/8/6/
    18/7/14/11/9/10/15/5/17/1/6/4/3/16/9/12/8/6
    https://deskgram.co/volkswagen.passat.arteon.cc/taggedin?next_id=1907000961911945804
    Volkswagen Passat Arteon CC(@volkswagen ... - Deskgram
    https://rehmann.co/tiny.cc.php?link=fs3
    Shortened URL Opener fs3 - Luke Rehmann
    https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/16310976/iva-35-intelligent-video-analysis/2
    2 | IVA - Yumpu
    https://vigos.info/tv-y7k2u90DUy8hY9Jl_8qDBg
    grandpajanek - VIgos
    http://billingsgazette.newspapers.com/newspage/413180527/
    The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana on July 14, 1982 · 57
    https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/97607753/
    Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1966 ...

  2. V.... Z....

    @#bRACKEn the judges name was goodmen . FTSE 7064.2 feat
    https://youtu.be/saUcwf1f4RY

  3. W.... E....

    He dugg deep on this one he did alot better than cash

    W.... E....

    @#espirit Santos

    W.... E....

    Pittsburgh New Hampshire, and all that these television program's recording the officials and on TV now.
    That's not our factual law's!!

  4. R.... G....

    Just an amazing artist. My dam favorite to turn to when sippen on some whiskey

  5. B.... D....

    Slimsh8e
    you are awesome
    I love this song
    I was dating a lead guitar player and this was one of the songs he'd sing 😆

  6. C.... E....

    My favorite version was the first.time I heard my uncles and stepdad sing it. I was 6 and we were visiting step dad's family in coal mine country of Eastern Kentucky.

    It was late at night and stepdad, uncles and I were down by the tracks playing, singing, and sipping shine (that was the first i tasted shine). Their mother wouldn't allow drinking in the house.

    My uncle sure could make his Martin guitar
    cry. We also sang Pretty Polly and several others.

    We went down every summer for a while. I miss those hills.

  7. G.... Y....

    This track give s me chills on a raining night Tuesday at 10 pm here in Oklahoma u s a god bless you john Anderson real country music singer dont send that shit pop rab sorry just real country music and real old gospel ps it damn sure dont get better than john Anderson and hag big hit send a reply few words message channel owner and listener's would love to hear from you listeners watch the language too

  8. B.... A....

    JOHN ANDERSON, IN A CLASS ALL BY HIMSELF.THE VERY BEST!!!!!!!

  9. T.... D....

    I love Lefty but John made this song his own.

  10. D.... P....

    Best version of this song

  11. B.... A....

    Country music is gone. The stuff now a day's is NOT COUNTRY MUSIC! It is well, I do not know what kind of music it is but it is not country. Some of is kinda like country. Oh well I must be just to damn old.

  12. k.... ....

    even Mick Jagger sang this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-4rY4g4Do

  13. f.... ....

    oh my johnny ily

  14. R.... S....

    my favoite version

  15. T.... ....

    I think I like this version best.

  16. B.... H....

    What ever happened to music ?

  17. W.... B....

    Who are you? My name is Brandon Anderson my pappy sang these songs. Muddy watters. The wall.

  18. C.... K....

    I had this album growing up he was always my favorite singer he could sing anything. Loved hearing that needle drop on that record think I just told my age 😉😉😉😉😉

  19. R.... B....

    There will never be another John Anderson God bless you we love you John

  20. B.... ....

    Pure country gold!

  21. j.... n....

    David Allan Coe does a damm good rendition of this song.Worthy of a listen

  22. T.... B....

    Y'all should listen to Jack Cookes version of this song. Just go on and do it now.

  23. P.... R....

    John and Ricky Skaggs never liked one another. I've been on their buses, The DJ

  24. M.... C....

    great but theirs only one Lefty

  25. J.... W....

    Real shit

  26. g.... ....

    Though I've always loved John Anderson, especially "Seminole Winds", I've always preferred Johnny Cash's cover of this song. Still, this is a great cover of a tragic song.

  27. A.... ....

    WOW! I love this version!

  28. C.... B....

    Thanks SLIM this is one of my favorite Jim Anderson cover songs. I cry every time I hear it. This and SEMINOLE WIND.

    C.... B....

    @#eslime I'm as ugly as a mudraa
    threw my ring in the River. own yonder by the railroad tracks.

  29. B.... R....

    Who thinks John sings this better that Daryl singletary

  30. L.... W....

    lol like Johhny cash

  31. S.... W....

    Love country

  32. C.... G....

    I wish George Jones was alive still

  33. B.... S....

    This is my favourite version of this song , gotta like the touch Merle gives it ,

  34. c.... ....

    Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews Version is Simply the best

  35. C.... ....

    THIS is what country should aspire to be. Men like John Anderson, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr who wrote and sang of life, love and living in a way that even generations later, leaves an indelible mark on those who hear their work.

  36. G.... Y....

    Hell of a song and singer s John Anderson and hag and rest in piece hag Glenn in Oklahoma

    G.... Y....

    Rest rest in peace hag and john Anderson is real country music singer hes real great job on this haunting song Glenn Yates in pretty water sapulpa creek county Oklahoma u s a ps do you think that alan jaskson seen the ghost of hank williams sr when he went to the grave site in the video of midnight in montery i sure do i belive in ghost pray god jesus and folks its real too these two songs long black veal and midnight in montery makes me get to sweating and dreaming and its real haunting too i belive in ghost god Jesus and theirs a hell too ps if any one has a comment about this comment feel free to comment but watch the language please ps rest in peace hag and hank williams sr ps great job john Anderson hes real and hes a real country music singer ps pop rab singers take notes on this this is a real country music singer and song god bless you all from a rebel out law good old middle age man who loves real country music singer s and songs ps not that shit called pop rap country music its the shits god bless you all from rebel out law real country music fan middle age man Glenn Yates in pretty water sapulpa creek county Oklahoma u s a and good night god bless you all god bless the u s a home of real country music and singers

  37. N.... R....

    yes, Nomore 1

  38. s.... h....

    Bobby Bare hace una interpretación Expectacular

  39. e.... ....

    Wow I love this...

  40. T.... T....

    This is country I don't know what this shit is they playin today

    T.... T....

    AIDAN gonzalez that's just it: shit.

  41. r.... ....

    How sweet is Merle's part !

  42. K.... V....

    now that's country

  43. F.... J....

    Best version of this great song is by Mick Jagger, an album he recorded with the Chiefte
    ns, back in the day!

  44. R.... W....

    Real Country grew up listening to old John Anderson fell asleep many night in the barracks in Japan as my buddys old boom box played John at lights out.....Semper Fi

  45. F.... M....

    I really like John Andersons version of this song!

    F.... M....

    Francis McNally

  46. G.... W....

    I really like this version -- I learned it from Joan Baez, and like that one, still.

  47. P.... N....

    It just doesn't get any better than this. I John isn't the original artist on this song but in my opinion he does it the best. I normally go for the originals but in this case John's version is best hands down

    P.... N....

    I got to know John before his hit swinging I worked at country roads John got his piano player from Howard Garman and Rhode island red the house band

    P.... N....

    Johnny cash did this song first but Anderson did it right

    P.... N....

    The black crowed did this cover good too.

  48. R.... B....

    Hey SlimSh8e why didn't you put the Hag' in the title?

    R.... B....

    February 2015! unION dOWN!
    Present, USA Mom! #ValerieZoski
    uSO
    Https://youtu.be/0IoOWZLfF8U
    #KANZAKIMASAHIRO

    R.... B....

    #FTSE 7064.2

  49. B.... P....

    This version isn't bad...but please check out the bill Monroe version. My opinion Bill's version tops Lefty and Cash's.....which I will say is tough to do.

  50. W.... B....

    listened to many versions. My husband sang it in a band. John gives it the most soul and passion!

    W.... B....

    Daryl singletary by far the best version

    W.... B....

    #Start souvenir's I got kicked off of Noah's ark take it back take it back on no you can't say that all of my friend's are not dead. Omg

    W.... B....

    @scott barnes Mann it's close but no cigar

    W.... B....

    @Valerie Zoski what? Is u talking about

    W.... B....

    @Wayne Edward something I heard while listening to
    @John Prine music.
    TheTreeOfForgiveness.com
    peacefulwaters.org | Osu.ch Osu.ru | Constats.com
    econstats.com |
    https://youtu.be/0IoOWZLfF8U

  51. R.... S....

    down in Tennessee is my favorite Anderson song but this one is an oldie but goodie

  52. R.... S....

    no body knows but me

  53. D.... C....

    just shows how country music lives or life's how the justice works don't care about the poor man just like Hoyt axton mountain right government takes from us God bless us poor people who Stands up

  54. J.... W....

    All time favorite! Awesomeness

  55. J.... H....

    This song gives me cold chills

    J.... H....

    I had been in the arms of my best friends wife.

  56. S.... F....

    love your voice in this song.

  57. S.... F....

    great thanks for the video of this song

  58. S.... W....

    The way John sings this is like he really is singing this from the afterlife looking down upon his ex-lover as she visits his grave.

  59. M.... T....

    My favorite song by my favorite singer....awesome!

  60. W.... S....

    John and Merle ! Country excellence. By far of all I've heard sing this they just stand right there in front. Now if I could only find thin silver dime by John Anderson I'd be in pretty good shape with music library. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

    W.... S....

    One of my favorite John Anderson songs.Thin Silver Dime!

    W.... S....

    Walter Shoults John Anderson

    W.... S....

    Walter Shoults

    W.... S....

    And lefty hank Cash Jones Jennings Nelson Kristopherson

    W.... S....

    The Price of a Thin Silver Dime. It's on the Wild and Blue album.

  61. l.... ....

    Merle sounds so much like lefty in this. Awesome just awesome music.

  62. R.... C....

    God it's nice to hear real mountain music! I would have loved to have heard Keith Whitley cover this one with Merle Haggard.

  63. A.... M....

    this is my favorite I first heard lefty sign it but john anderson is the one I go back t

    A.... M....

    @Amie May Larsen  try mike Nesmith's version.  I also love johnny cash's version with joni mitchell

    A.... M....

    John Anderson sings this song better than anyone I,ve heard John Anderson you are number 1 in my book

  64. t.... f....

    :/  :/

  65. L.... ....

    Jamey Johnson live in concert does this the absolute best.

    L.... ....

    nah prolly not

  66. A.... R....

    Try Gordon Lightfoot's version....the best.

  67. N.... 1....

    Wish music was still like this

    N.... 1....

    They don't take the time to polish like the old stuff

    N.... 1....

    Nomore 1 True enough

    N.... 1....

    Just straight awesome

    N.... 1....

    I luv John Anderson

    N.... 1....

    John Anderson plays this better than Johnny cash

  68. K.... R....

    Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment...

  69. 2.... ....

    Rick Danko and The Band

    2.... ....

    I saw Danko and the Band do it live in their hoetown of London Ontario in 86 (well except Levon from Arkansas)-it was a great version no doubt. But this is excellent too. First time I've heard it. I'm a big Merle fan too.

  70. F.... ....

    My grandson pictured here is a fishman and not only can John sing great, but loves fishing also.  Keep doing both we love you.

  71. S.... ....

    although I like Johnny Cash's version ( backed by the Carter family version ) best. John Anderson's version is A fantastic rendition. J.A. has been and always will be one of my all time favorite singers. 

    S.... ....

    I love all OK of John Anderson songs even like LL Charlotte just a swaging

  72. B.... T....

    I am tired of hearing who did it better Cash Frizleand Anderson all have different singing styles and all three do it damn good justice just sayin 

  73. R.... ....

    Agree with others that JA's voice is too pretty for this song.  (Hey, no one's perfect for everything!)

    Lefty Frizzell sings IMO the definitive version, but Johnny Cash also did a good job.

    R.... ....

    +RonJohn63 wth??

    R.... ....

    RonJohn63 sounds good to me.

  74. O.... P....

    This song has it all...paints a love story and tragedy with picturesque lyrics...wrapped up in a remarkable melody.  John does it perfectly.

    O.... P....

    He'll take that as a compliment. :)

    O.... P....

    Old Panama City Beach

  75. w.... m....

    Love this man ::))

  76. M.... C....

    great tune!

  77. M.... ....

    Another. Country living Ledgion !!!?

  78. S.... P....

    oh wow such a sad sad sad song yet a great story he could have saved his own life by telling the truth yet he said nothing cause of his relationship with his friend and his friends wife i cant stop listening to it such a great song

  79. D.... G....

    Best version of all !

  80. a.... ....

    I agree, wholeheartedly. Saw Merle Haggard at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. He is too, too cool!!!! Love all his music. John Anderson, I saw at a small concert in Iowa...........and he got that crowd singing with him. Loved every minute of it. I got his picture setting here in front of me.........and, yep, it's autographed. Loved him since I first heard him. Yes, and Merle, too!!

  81. c.... r....

    I Love John Anderson

  82. C.... O....

    Yes george jones was good but he was no hank william sr. either ... they all have their own characteristics to their voice and I have to say for his day John Anderson was good

  83. K.... B....

    this is Sharon thank u obie u let me know that I found a good man luv u always

  84. M.... ....

    I remember rolling down the road in my 72 Ford pickup listening to this on my newly installed sparkomatic speakers. Always enjoyed this version.

  85. R.... ....

    They sound a whole lot alike in the song. The deep "but meeeee" definitely is not JA, though. So, it must be MH.

  86. B.... A....

    john anderson is obviously a country great

  87. b.... ....

    I like his version, I first heard Gillian Welch and David Rawlings sing this song and she has got the voice for it, very gripping but John Anderson does a terrific job singing it too.

  88. T.... D....

    LOVE THIS SONG. IT IS SO PRETTY.

  89. D.... A....

    Except Sammi Smith. GOD, I hate her version!

  90. D.... A....

    Slightly better than Lefty & WAY better than Sammi Smith!

  91. B.... M....

    What in the hell are you two talking about? Between 1:13 and 1:46 is Merle Haggard. For one, it sounds just like him (that's because it is him). Look up the album. If you know him personally, ask Merle, I'm sure he'd tell you that's him.

  92. J.... R....

    You're exactly right Jennifer!

  93. W.... ....

    Best version ever. Dave Mathews version vomits

  94. M.... ....

    Merle does make a cameo on one verse.

  95. J.... B....

    this is not Merle Haggard, if any of you knew him personally, you would know. sorry

  96. a.... ....

    I just love this song.

  97. t.... ....

    yea im pretty sure if it has the words merle haggard in it, im there. never heard this big dog anderson but sounds awesome

  98. C.... H....

    personally i like it by john anderson and the chieftains, wish they would have done it together,but the chieftains did it with mic jagger, no disrespect to mic............

    C.... H....

    Why doesn't anyone ever mention "The Kingston Trio?" That's who my wife and I of 50 years heard it. It was when folk music was in it's "hay day."