LONG BLACK VEIL^©

Live 26 Apr 2006 version

[Bruce:]
Well ten years ago, on a cold dark night
There was someone killed 'neath the townhall light
There were few at the scene, yeah but they all agreed
That the man who ran looked a lot like me

[Bruce:]
Well she walks these hills in a long black veil
Visits my grave where the night winds wail -- Say it!
Nobody knows, darling, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[Thomson:]
The judge said, "son what is your alibi
If you were somewhere else, then you don't have to die"
I said not a word, though it crushed my life
'Cause I was in the arms of my best friend's wife

[all:]
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[all:]
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[Bruce:]
Well the gallows were close and eternity near
She stood in the crowd and she shed not a tear
[Bruce and Thomson:]
Sometimes at night when the cold winds blow
In a long black veil she cries over my bones

[Bruce and Patti:]
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[all:]
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[all:]
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

[all:]
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me

Written by Marijohn Wilkin and Danny Dill, 1959, and originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell. Check out the original version for more history details about the song.

It is reported that Bruce Springsteen recorded this song with the Seeger Sessions Band during the "Seeger Sessions".

It was also reported to be rehearsed by Bruce Springsteen and The Seeger Sessions Band on 21 Mar 2006 at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, NJ. It was also the opener of the last of the 4 public rehearsal shows for The Seeger Sessions tour -- 26 Apr 2006 at the Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ -- and the above lyrics refer to that performance.

The song was performed during The Seeger Sessions tour, debuting on 08 May 2006 at Hammersmith Apollo Theatre, London, UK. During the tour and the rehearsal shows, Bruce trades verses with Seeger Sessions band member Marc Anthony Thompson on this song.

Check also the live 11 Jun 2006 version.