Long Black Veil
View chords used in this chart
The Long Black Veil (3:05)
Written by: M.Wilkin and D.Dill
Recorded: December 17, 1964 Nashville, Tennessee
Source: The Essential Johnny Cash Vol. 2
Key: C
F C F C
(C) Ten years ago on a cold dark night
(G) Someone was killed 'neath the town (F) hall lights (C)
(C) There were few at the scene but they all agreed
(C) That the (G) slayer who ran looked a lot (F) like me (C)
She (F) walks these hills (C) in a (F) long black veil (C)
She (F) visits my grave (C) when the (F) night winds wail (C)
Nobody knows (F) nobody sees (C)
(F) Nobody (G) knows but me (C)
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
For I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife
Now the scaffold is high and eternity's near
She stood in a crowd and shed not a tear
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
In a long black veil she cries o're my bones
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
Nobody knows nobody sees
Nobody knows but me
How to play Long Black Veil
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.