Uriah Heep - Lady In Black

"Lady in Black" is a song by the rock band Uriah Heep. It is the fourth track of their 1971 album Salisbury.

The song is credited to Ken Hensley. It tells the story of a man wandering through war-torn darkness and encountering a goddess-like entity who consoles him. It is often praised, by fans and critics alike, as Hensley's most poetic work to date.

Lyrics

She came to me one morning One lonely Sunday morning Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind I know not how she found me For in darkness I was walking And destruction lay around me From a fight I could not win Ah, ah, ah

She asked me name my foe then I said the need within some men To fight and kill their brothers without thought of men or God And I begged her give me horses To trample down my enemies So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life Ah, ah, ah

But she would not think of battle that Reduces men to animals So easy to begin and yet impossible to end For she the mother of all men Had counciled me so wisely that I feared to walk alone again And asked if she would stay Ah, ah, ah

Oh, lady, lend your hand, I cried Oh, let me rest here at your side Have faith and trust in me, she said and filled my heart with life There is no strength in numbers I've no such misconceptions But when you need me be assured I won't be far away Ah, ah, ah

Thus having spoke she turned away And though I found no words to say I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear My labor is no easier But now I know I'm not alone I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day And if one day she comes to you Drink deeply from her words so wise Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Uriah Heep