Sunday, September 29, 2024, I awaken. I reach for the guitar that's always there on the bed, unless some woman's made a mistake and made me move it.
I'm not a 'cover Song' singer. I'm not a musician. I'm just a Song-Writer.
But for some reason that morning I play "Long Black Veil", a Song written by Marijon Wilkin and Dan Dill. Lefty Frizzell brought it to market in 1959. Marijohn sings it from the woman's point of view, the 'Singer-Character', the Title being "My Long Black Veil."
She sings "I walk these hills in My Long Black Veil."

Lefty sings it from the man's point of view, again, assuming the persona of the Singer-Character telling their story, First-Person.

They sing of the 'Love-Interest' character, whose dalliance with them happens to have taken place the same night 'someone was killed 'neath the town hall light' and the person who they have dallied with is accused of being the murderer.
The accused doesn't have an alibi because they were involved in the illicit affair with the spouse of a best friend.
The classic 'love triangle' story is told, succinctly, and with that 'twist' of the legal jeopardy.

"Long Black Veil" by Marijohn Wilkin and Dan Dill
G 32OOO3
D XXO232
D7 XXO212
C/G bass 32OO1O
(Verse I)
Ten years ago, on a cold, dark night,
a man was killed, 'neath the town hall light.
There were few at the scene.
They all did agree,
that the man who ran
looked a lot like me.

(Chorus)
She walks these hills,
in a Long Black Veil----.
She mourns my bones,
when the night winds wai-a-ail.
Nobody knows, no! Nobody sees!
Nobody knows but me-e-ee.
(Verse II)
The Judge says, "Son, what is your, al-i-bi?
If you were somewhere else,
you won't have to die."
I spoke not a word,
though it meant my life.
I had been in the arms
of my best friend's wife!

She walks these hills,
in a Long Black Veil----.
She mourns my bones,
when the night winds wai-a-ail.
Nobody knows, no! Nobody sees!
Nobody knows but me-e-ee.

(Verse III)
The scaffold is high, eternity near.
She stands in the crowd.
She sheds not a tear.
The judge says, "Son, what is your, al-i-bi?
If you were somewhere else,
you don't have to die."
I speak not a word,
though it means my life.
I had been in the arms
of my best friend's wife.

She walks these hills,
in a Long Black Veil----.
She mourns my bones,
when the night winds wai-a-ail.
Nobody knows, no! Nobody sees!
Nobody knows but me-e-ee.

That's my 'arrangement' of the Components of the Composition. You can hear theirs on Youtube.
But that morning, Sunday, September 29, 2024, I went out of "Long Black Veil" into two other Songs I don't play, "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and "For The Good Times".
I got up out of bed, turned on my laptop, and there was the news that Kris Kristofferson, who wrote those other two Songs, had died September 28, 2024.
Marijohn Wilkin... mentored... to Kris Kristofferson.
There was a vibrating silver thread in the universe that morning, passing through my bedroom, when I woke up and played Songs I don't play.

"Help Me Make It Through The Night"
G 32OOO3
C/G bass 332O1O
D XXO232
D7 XXO212
(Verse I)
Take the ribbon from your hair.
Shake it loose and let it fall,
layin' soft against my skin,
like the shadows on the wall.
Come and lay down by my side,
through the early morning light.
All I'm taking is your time.
(Chorus Refrain)
Help Me Make It Through The Night.

(Bridge)
I don't care what's right or wrong!
I don't try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Tonight I nee-e-eed a friend.

Yesterday is dead and gone.
Tomorrow's out of sight.
All I'm askin' is your time.
Help Me Make It Through The Night.

I don't care what's right or wrong!
I don't try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Tonight I nee-e-eed a friend.

Yesterday is dead and gone.
Tomorrow's out of sight.
All I'm askin' is your time.
Help Me Make It Through The Night.

"For The Good Times"
G 32OOO3
D XXO232
D7 XXO212
C/G bass 32OO1O
(Verse I)
Don't look so sad.
I know it's over.
Life goes on.
This old world,
will keep on turning.
Let's just be glad,
we had some time,
to spend together.
There's no need,
to watch the bridges,
that you're burning.

(Chorus)
Lay - your - head,
upon my pillow.
Hold your warm,
and tender body,
next to mine.
Hear the whisper, of,
the raindrops,
blowing soft,
against your window.
Make believe you love me,
one more time,
(Chorus Refrain)
For The Good Times.

That's all I played. Thank you Kris, "For The Good Times". And thank you Marijohn, for sharing your gift.

Last edited by Gary E. Andrews; 11/20/24 08:05 PM.
There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com