Artists
Musicians featured in this piece are:
Ken Hensley – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Mick Box – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
David Byron – backing vocals
Paul Newton – bass, backing vocals
Keith Baker – drums
Written by Ken Hensley. Produced by Gerry Bron, recorded October–November 1970 at Lansdowne Studios, London. Released on Salisbury (Vertigo Records, January 1971); issued as a single in June 1971.
According to Ken Hensley, he ended up singing lead on “Lady in Black” because David Byron flatly disliked the song and refused to record it during the Salisbury sessions — producer Gerry Bron then suggested Hensley take the vocal himself. The song, a stripped-back, folk-tinged ballad about a wanderer consoled by a mysterious “lady in black” amid war-torn darkness, is often cited by fans and critics as Hensley’s most poetic lyric.
Uriah Heep – Lady In Black Lyrics
She came to me one morning
One lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing in the midwinter 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, ah, 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 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
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
But she wouldn’t think of battle that
Reduces men to animals
So easy to begin
And yet impossible to end
For she’s the mother of all men
Who counseled me so wisely then
I feared to walk alone again
And asked if she would stay
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
“Oh lady lend your hand,” I cried
“And let me rest here at your side.”
“Have faith and trust in peace,” she said,
And filled my heart with life
“There’s no strength in numbers
Have no such misconception
But when you need me
Be assured I won’t be far away.”
Ah, ah, ah, ah, 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 coat disappear
My labour 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, ah
To listen to other songs from the Teleskop 13 program and the full program, click here.