Ken Hensley - Lady In Black (2008) video free download

Kenneth William David Hensley (born 24 August 1945, Plumstead, South East London, England) is a keyboard player (especially Hammond organ), guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s

"Lady in Black" has been performed in the form of rock ballads (and not having the traditional verse-chorus), and has become one of the most popular concert numbers of Uriah Heep. It achieved great success in Germany and Russia. In the United Kingdom and United States the song was never released as a single, but when it was released as a single in Germany in 1977, it became a major hit. It stayed on the top of the charts 13 weeks, and it prevented Paul McCartney and his hit "Mull of Kintyre" from reaching number one. For this achievement Uriah Heep got the "Golden Lion" award, the German equivalent Grammy and Brit Awards.

"Lady in Black" is the story of a man who takes a walk one lonely Sunday morning, feeling very empty. He encounters a mysterious woman, her long hair flowing in the midwinter wind, imagery which conveys the cold feeling he's experiencing in the presence of destruction. He doesn't know how she found him since in darkness I was walking (dark thoughts), surrounded by the destruction of battle which he considers unwinnable from a fight I could not win. The lady is an analogy for good sense and the desire for peace.

When asked to name his enemy, he says, need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of love or God.

He begs the "Lady in Black" to give him horses to "trample down my enemies" suggesting that in his eagerness to stop this senseless waste of life, he has lost sight of what he was trying to stop in the first place, and he would use war to fight war. But she refuses to grant him his request - she wouldn't think of battle that reduces men to animals, so easy to begin, and yet impossible to end, saying that men who resort to war are no better than beasts.

After feeling the desperation that he could never end this senseless aspect of humanity, he asks her (the good sense that represented by her) to stay with him. But the "Lady in Black" responds that he should have faith and trust in peace rather, and gives him hope in this way. (Have faith and trust in peace she said, and filled my heart...).

She goes on to counsel him that war does not stop war (there is no strength in numbers, have no such misconception), but that he should not fear being alone with these thoughts and that he can always call on her when these feelings of desperation arise (when you need me, be assured that I won't be far away).

He concludes that while he is still unhappy with the nature of things, he now has help dealing with his struggles - My labour is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone, I'll find new heart each time I think upon that windy day

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 wouldnt think of battle that

Reduces men to animals

So easy to begin

And yet impossible to end

For shes the mother of our men

Who counselled 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 wont 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 labour is no easier

But now I know Im 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 ...