Black Sabbath

Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne

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

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!

Black Sabbath (1970)

All 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!
  • Black Sabbath

• 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

Paranoid (1970)

In the fields the bodies burning
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
  • War Pigs

• 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
  • Paranoid

• 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
  • Planet Caravan

• Robot minds of robot slaves
  Lead them to atomic graves
  Plastic flowers, melting sun
  Fading moon falls upon

  Dying world of radiation,
  Victims of man’s frustration
  Burning globe of obscene fire
  Like electric funeral pyre

  • Electric Funeral

Master of Reality (1971)

All 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.
  • 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.
  • Into the Void

Vol. 4 (1972)

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
  • Supernaut

Let them have their little toys
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 sane

  Let 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)

All songs written by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.

Just remember love is life
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
  • Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

• 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

Sabotage (1975)

All songs written by Black Sabbath.

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

• 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
  • Symptom of the Universe

• 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)

I’m a rock ‘n roll soldier, gonna play it until I’m dead

The world is full of
Kings and Queens
Who blind your eyes
and steal your dreams
It’s Heaven and Hell

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.

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.

Hear the sound of distant ages
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)

All songs written by Black Sabbath.

It’s a part of me that tells you
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
  • 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)

All 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
  • Neon Knights

• 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
  • Children of the Sea

• 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
  • Heaven and Hell

• 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
  • Die Young

• So live for today
  Tomorrow never comes
  • Die Young

Mob Rules (1981)

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)

All 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)

Crowned in his ancient glory
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)

All 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)

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?

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

Tyr (1990)

All lyrics written by Tony Martin.

Do you follow the path that so many tread? Are you among the blind so easily lead?

• 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)

All 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)

You’ll see you’ve got invisible chains
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)

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

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 anyway

  What’s the point of reason
  When no one wants to listen
  Deliverance is all too far away

  • What's the Use?

Forbidden (1995)

All of your life,
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

13 (2013)

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.
  • End of the Beginning

To safeguard my philosophy
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
  • God Is Dead?

• 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

• 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

• I think of rock 'n' roll as a bitch... and I nursed at the teat of Black Sabbath. - Krist Novoselic of Nirvana
  • Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970–1978)

• 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
  • Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970–1978), page 2

• 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)

External links

• Official website