KEN HENSLEY - LADY IN BLACK

LADY IN BLACK

KEN HENSLEY

SONGWRITER: KEN HENSLEY

COUNTRY: U.K.

ALBUM: THE WIZARDS DIARY

LABEL: NIPPON CROWN

GENRE: HARD ROCK

YEAR: 2005

Kenneth William David Hensley (born 24 August 1945) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s.

He wrote or co-wrote the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including the hit singles "Lady in Black" (on which he sang lead vocals), "Easy Livin'" and "Stealin'", as well as "Look at Yourself", on which he also sang lead vocals, and "Free Me".

"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. There were many b-sides for this song as a single. The most famous was "Simon the Bullit Freak" but "Bird of Prey" has also been the b-side for the song. In 1981 the band released a single in Germany and in Netherlands and the b-side was "Easy Livin'". The song was written in the key of A Minor.

A brief comment on the cover of the original vinyl release commented that for Ken Hensley inspiration was a real case: a surprise visit to his daughter's rural vicar at a moment when he was in very depressed state. The result of this meeting, and - some kind of insight - was the song "Lady in Black": a philosophical parable that tells us that evil cannot be overcome by evil itself.

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 ...

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...

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 our men

Who counseled me so wisely then

I feared to walk alone again

And asked if she would stay

Ah ah ah...

Oh lady lend your hand outright

And let me rest here at your side

Have faith and trust

In peace 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

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 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 from me

Ah ah ah...