The lyrics tell a story of a man wrongfully accused of murder, who refuses to provide an alibi as it would reveal he was with his best friend's wife. The real killer was the wife, who visits the man's grave in a long black veil, mourning his death.

Meaning of "Long Black Veil" by The Kingston Trio

"Long Black Veil" by The Kingston Trio explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the weight of secret-keeping. The protagonist chooses to remain silent, sacrificing his freedom to protect his best friend's wife, with whom he was having an affair. Despite being wrongly accused and facing death, he chooses not to expose the truth out of loyalty and guilt. The best friend's wife, haunted by her actions, symbolically mourns the man's death in a long black veil. The song delves into the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of betrayal, and the burden of carrying secrets.