The Long Black Veil – English Lyrics

• By: Johnny Cash

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the melancholic beauty of Johnny Cash's "The Long Black Veil." This classic country ballad offers a compelling narrative, rich with themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and forbidden love. Learning the lyrics and story behind this song can help you appreciate American storytelling traditions, expand your vocabulary with evocative language, and understand the emotional depth inherent in country and folk music. Its simple yet powerful structure makes it an excellent entry point into understanding the nuances of English through song.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
veil /veɪl/ B1	noun - a piece of fabric worn over the head or face, often for religious or ceremonial purposes
scarlet /ˈskɑːrlɪt/ B1	adjective - of a bright red color
hang /hæŋ/ A1	verb - to suspend something from above
guilt /ɡɪlt/ B1	noun - the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense
innocent /ˈɪnəsənt/ A2	adjective - not guilty of a crime or offense
accuse /əˈkjuːz/ B1	verb - to charge someone with a crime or fault
lover /ˈlʌvər/ A1	noun - a person who loves or is loved romantically
grave /ɡreɪv/ B1	noun - a place where a dead body is buried adjective - serious and solemn
silk /sɪlk/ A2	noun - a fine, strong, soft fabric made from the thread produced by silkworms
shroud /ʃraʊd/ B2	noun - a cloth used to wrap a body for burial
testify /ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/ B1	verb - to give a formal statement as a witness in court
sake /seɪk/ A2	noun - a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice noun - the purpose or reason for an action
gallows /ˈɡæloʊz/ B2	noun - a frame from which condemned prisoners are hanged
weep /wiːp/ A2	verb - to shed tears, especially as an expression of sorrow
secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ A1	noun - something that is kept hidden or unknown adjective - known only to a few people