LADY IN BLACK

Vocalist: Uriah Heep
Album: "Salisbury" (1971)
Songwriter: Ken Hensley
Genre: Folk rock, Progressive rock
Label: Vertigo (UK)

The story telling lyrics show a longing for the end of evil and war. The author is seeking for a powerful ally, a God or just someone to share the feelings with. His ‘dream’ ends with the feeling that although ending evil is impossible even for a Goddess, he does feel less alone knowing he shares this ideal vision with someone.

It is striking that in the second verse the author actually says he would like to end all evil by trampling enemies. He doesn’t realize that this is the evil he himself is so angry at.

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

She asked me name my foes then
I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers
Without thought of love 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

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
Who counselled me so wisely then
I feared to walk alone again and
Asked if she would stay

"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
Have no such misconception
But when you need me be assured
I won't be far away"