Black Sabbath
British heavy metal band
Black Sabbath were an English heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968, by guitarist and main songwriter Tony Iommi, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, singer Ozzy Osbourne, and drummer Bill Ward.
Song lyrics
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Figure in black which points at me
Turn around quick, and start to run
Find out I’m the chosen one – Oh no!
Black Sabbath (1970)
editAll songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne.
- What is this that stands before me?
Figure in black which points at me
Turn around quick, and start to run
Find out I’m the chosen one – Oh no!
- Visions cupped within a flower
Deadly petals with strange power
Faces shine a deadly smile
Look upon you at your trial- Behind the Wall of Sleep
- The world today is such a wicked place
Fighting going on between the human race
People got to work just to earn their bread
While people just across the sea are counting their dead- Wicked World
- Red sun rising in the sky
Sleeping village, cock’rel’s cry
Soft breeze blowing in the trees
Peace of mind, feel at ease- Sleeping Village
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
poisoning their brainwashed minds
All lyrics written by Geezer Butler.
- Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death’s construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
poisoning their brainwashed minds
- Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal
- We sail through endless skies
Stars shine like eyes
The black night sighs
The moon in silver dreams
Falls down in beams
Light of the night
The Earth a purple blaze
Of sapphire haze
In orbit always
Robot minds of robot slaves
Lead them to atomic graves
Plastic flowers, melting sun
Fading moon falls uponDying world of radiation,
Victims of man’s frustration
Burning globe of obscene fire
Like electric funeral pyre- Electric Funeral
Master of Reality (1971)
editAll lyrics written by Geezer Butler.
- So you children of the world, listen to what I say
If you want a better place to live in spread the word today
Show the world that love is still alive you must be brave
Or you children of today are children of the grave.
- Leave the earth to Satan and his slaves
Leave them to their future in their graves
Make a home where love is there to stay
Peace and happiness in every day.
All lyrics written by Geezer Butler.
- I’ve crossed the ocean, turned every bend
I found the plastic and the gold at rainbow’s end
I’ve seen through magic and through life’s reality
I’ve lived a thousand years and never found the key
Matchbox cars and mortgaged joys
Exciting in their plastic ways
Frozen food in a concrete maze
Too much near the truth they say
Keep it ’til another day
Let them have their little game
Delusion helps to keep them saneLet them have their little toys
Matchbox cars and mortgaged joys
Exciting in their plastic ways
Frozen food in a concrete maze- Cornucopia
- So believe what I tell you, it’s the only way you’ll find in the end
Just believe in yourself – you know you really shouldn’t have to pretend
Don’t let those empty people try to interfere with your mind
Just live your life and leave them all behind- Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)
editAll songs written by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
And hate is living death
Treat your life for what it’s worth
And live for every breath
- Nobody will ever let you know
When you ask the reason why
They just tell you that you’re on your own
Fill your head all full of lies
- Just remember love is life
And hate is living death
Treat your life for what it’s worth
And live for every breath- A National Acrobat
- You thought that it would be easy
From the very start
Now I’ve found you out
I don’t think you’re so smart
I only have one more question
Before my time is through
Please I beg you tell me
In the name of hell
Who are you?- Who Are You
- Watching eyes of celluloid
Tell you how to live
Metaphoric motor-replay
Give, give, give!
Laughter kissing love
Is showing me the way
Spiral city architect
I build, you pay- Spiral Architect
All songs written by Black Sabbath.
I’ve seen the western world
go down in the east
The food of love became
the greed of our time
But now I’m living on the profits of crime
- I’ve watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I’ve seen the western world go down in the east
The food of love became the greed of our time
But now I’m living on the profits of crime- Hole in the Sky
- Take me through the centuries to supersonic years
Electrifying enemy is drowning in his tears
All I have to give you is a love that never dies
The symptom of the universe is written in your eyes
- Blow on a Jug
Everybody come on – blow on a jug
Be like me and blow on a jug
I want you to blow on a jug
Everybody begin – blow on a jug- Blow on a Jug
Technical Ecstasy (1976)
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Kings and Queens
Who blind your eyes
and steal your dreams
It’s Heaven and Hell
It’s the call of the seventh star
All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne, unless noted.
- I’m just another back street kid
Rock ‘n roll music is the only thing I really dig
Can’t stop the music going round inside my head
I’m a rock ‘n roll soldier, gonna play it until I’m dead
Nobody I know is gonna take my rock ‘n roll away from me- Back Street Kids
Never Say Die! (1978)
editAll songs written by Black Sabbath.
Oh, don’t you ever
Don’t ever say die
Never, never, never say die
- It’s a part of me that tells you
Oh, don’t you ever
Don’t ever say die
Never, never, never say die
- And as the seasons turn the days to years
She holds her pictures, hears the silent cheers
The days grow lonely for the dancing queen
And now she dances only in her dreams- Air Dance
Heaven and Hell (1980)
editAll lyrics written by Ronnie James Dio.
- Cry out to legions of the brave
Time again to save us from the jackals of the street
Ride out, protectors of the realm
Captain’s at the helm, sail across the sea of lights
- We made the mountains shake with laughter as we played
Hiding in our corner of the world
Then we did the demon dance and rushed to nevermore
Threw away the key and locked the door
- The lover of life’s not a sinner
The ending is just a beginner
The closer you get to the meaning
The sooner you’ll know that you’re dreaming
- The world is full of Kings and Queens
Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams
It’s Heaven and Hell- Heaven and Hell
- Life’s fantasy – to be locked away and still to think you’re free
- So live for today
Tomorrow never comes- Die Young
All lyrics written by Ronnie James Dio.
- Nighttime sorrow, taken like a pain
Black will not become a white, it’s all the same
Evil lurks in twilight, dances in the dark
Makes you need the movement, like a fire needs a spark to burn!- Turn Up the Night
- If there isn’t light when no one sees
Then how can I know what you might believe?
A story told that can’t be real
Somehow must reflect the truth we feel- The Sign of the Southern Cross
- From the book, the word is spoken
Whispers from forgotten psalms
Gather all around the young ones
They will make us strong
Reach above your dreams of pleasure
Given life to those who died
Look beyond your own horizons
Sail the ship of signs- The Sign of the Southern Cross
- I should be at the table round
A servant of the crown
The keeper of the sign
To sparkle and to shine- Falling Off the Edge of the World
- There’s a message inside as we build a new life from the past
- Falling Off the Edge of the World
- Don't live for pleasure, make life your treasure
- The Sign of the Southern Cross
Born Again (1983)
editAll songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ian Gillan, unless noted.
- Good life is contradiction because of the crucifixion
If you’re ready and have the need, I will take your soul and plant my seed- Disturbing the Priest
- The devil and the priest can’t exist if one goes away
It’s just like the battle of the sun and the moon and night and day
The force of the devil, that’s we’re all told to fear
Watch out for religion when he gets too near too near- Disturbing the Priest
- As you look through my window
Deep into my room
At the tapestries all faded
Their vague and distant glories
Concealed in the gloom
The icy fingers of forgotten passions
Softly brushing my lips
At the tips of my primitive soul- Born Again
- For the thrust of my challenge is aimed
At the hearts of mutant gods
who think we’re all the same
They’re controlling our minds
And they use us for fortune and fame- Born Again
Seventh Star (1986)
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There’s a king within us all
All lyrics written by Tony Iommi, Glenn Hughes, Geoff Nicholls and Jeff Glixman.
- Hear the sound of distant ages
It’s the call of the seventh star- Seventh Star
The Eternal Idol (1987)
editAll lyrics written by Tony Iommi.
- In the wisdom of the prophet’s
Never-ending tale
“Open up the eyes
Within your mind,” he says
Crowned in his ancient glory
There’s a king within us all
Some will say it’s all in vain
That he doesn’t have a name- Ancient Warrior
- He’s not one thing, we are his spirit
We could save this world from destruction day- Eternal Idol
Headless Cross (1989)
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All songs written by Black Sabbath.
- How do you feel, when the locks refuse the key
and the master is calling your name
Does the luck of the charm, really keep you from harm?
Does the talisman protect you from pain?- Headless Cross
- Tell me not fear of the flames means that heaven is closer
For I believe Satan lives, in the souls of the dying
Misguided mortals, you’ll burn with me
Spirit of man, cannot be freed.- When Death Calls
- Your assassin has cursed every spectre
The seal is broken, the oath has been crossed
and the house of the dead seeks a master- Kill in the Spirit World
- Fear of the devil has no place among the brave
Faced with pain, there’s a battle to be won
All eyes are on you, like a lost Eternal Light- Call of the Wild
All lyrics written by Tony Martin.
- Do you follow the path that so many tread?
Are you among the blind so easily lead?- Anno Mundi
- What God is this that stands to hear his people cry?
What hand would strike and watch his people die?
What life that takes, what future did we earn?
It’s our mistakes, take heed the Sabbath Stones- The Sabbath Stones
Dehumanizer (1992)
editAll songs written by Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi.
- Oh there’s insufficient evidence
Of what just might come after
But sometimes out of nowhere
There’s demented sounds of laughter- After All (The Dead)
They’re only lies
Not what it seems
- Looking for the world
When you’ve opened up your eyes
You’ll see you’ve got invisible chains
They’re only lies
Not what it seems
I hear your silent screams- Time Machine
Cross Purposes (1994)
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The inner flame has fear of death, never, has light ever seemed so dark. Pilgrims of sabbocracy, hear the hounds of heaven, as they bark
All songs written by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Tony Martin, unless noted.
- You better run from the holy man, the eyes that
Will are set upon you,
Listen not to verse and prayer, songs that thrill
And voices tempt you
The inner flame has fear of death, never, has
Light ever seemed so dark.
Pilgrims of sabbocracy, hear the hounds of
Heaven, as they bark- I Witness
- Can you hear, the people sing their song
To tunes of glory, they move as one.
Refugees of liberation marching on. Sing your songs, rock the nation, write of wrongs.- Dying for Love
What’s the use of power
When the battle isn’t equal
And we’re all too scared to use it anywayWhat’s the point of reason
When no one wants to listen
Deliverance is all too far away- What's the Use?
they try to take your cover,
Turn you into another,
and make you change your name.
All lyrics written by Tony Martin, unless noted.
- Fool, you’re caught in a complex catacomb of your own inadequcies and pitiful weaknesses,
Your soul secretes insecurity.
So you live on the reflection side of the mirror; you’re terrified of true power.
You Fear- The Illusion of Power, written by Tony Martin and Ice-T
- All of your life, they try to take your cover,
Turn you into another, and make you change your name.
When you fall, it’s up to you to recover,
You can’t depend on another, to help you with the pain- Shaking Off the Chains
All lyrics written by Geezer Butler, unless noted.
- Regeneration of your Cyber sonic soul,
transformed in time and space beyond control.
Rise up resist and be the master of your fate.
Don’t look back, live for today, tomorrow is too late.
Until my dying breath
I transfer from reality
Into a living dead
- To safeguard my philosophy
Until my dying breath
I transfer from reality
Into a living dead
I empathize with enemies until the time is right
With God and Satan at my side, from darkness will come light
I watch the rain as it turns red
Give me more wine I don’t need bread
These riddles that live inside my head
- Politics, religion, love of money too.
It’s what the world was built for but not for me and you- Age of Reason
- Guess we’re all running out of time
So live your own life and let me live mine
To each their own to question why
We’re all just links that forge the chain of life- Naïveté in Black
Other
edit- There are whispers between the screams
That this deed can be done
Even sinners must dream
And I can be the one to make the Devil cry- The Devil Cried, from the 2007 compilation album The Dio Years
Quotes about Black Sabbath
edit- I think of rock 'n' roll as a bitch... and I nursed at the teat of Black Sabbath. - Krist Novoselic of Nirvana
- Black Sabbath will always be the standard for every alienated, dirthead kid who's trying to figure out the answer to, "What is this that stands before me?" - Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day
- I brought melody and classicalness and a great amount of musicality to this band. Ozzy began it, and he deserves all the accolades he can get because he helped invent this kind of music. What he did was absolutely right for what it was, but music grew at that point, and I think it grew beyond what Ozzy was capable of giving an audience from a musical standpoint.
- Ronnie James Dio, as quoted in "Black Is Really White" by Andrew Miller, Orlando Weekly (13 September 2007)
- Ronnie was so enthusiastic, and he could play instruments which Ozzy couldn't play, so it was easy to communicate with him, and for him to communicate musically with us. That enthusiasm gives us all a kick up the bum.
- Geezer Butler, as quoted in "BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler Talks DIO Era - 'I Was So Pissed Off Writing Lyrics Towards The End Of The OZZY Era'" by Tim Henderson, Brave Words (29 March 2021)
