THE 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 agreeded 
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"
but I spoke not a word though it meant my life
I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife

now the scaffold is 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 over my bones

now she walks these hills in a long black veil
she visits my grave when the night wind wail
nobody knows • nobody sees
nobody knows but me
					
                          danny dill • maryjohn wilkin