The Wizard

Album: Black Sabbath (1970)
Play Video
  • Misty morning, clouds in the sky
    Without warning, the wizard walks by
    Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
    Long grey cloak, tinkling bell

    Never talking
    Just keeps walking
    spreading his magic

    Evil power disappears
    Demons worry when the wizard is near
    He turns tears into joy
    Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by

    Never talking
    Just keeps walking
    spreading his magic

    Sun is shining, clouds have gone by
    All the people give a happy sigh
    He has passed by, giving his sign
    Left all the people feeling so fine

    Never talking
    Just keeps walking
    spreading his magic Writer/s: John Osbourne, Terrence Butler, Tony Iommi, William Ward
    Publisher: Onward Music Limited, T.R.O. INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

  • Sam from Milwaukee WisconsinI feel like a conspiracy theorist because i was listening to blues and Diggin my potatoes came on and the album cover says the wizard of the harmonica and the intro harmonica part is so similar to intro of the black sabbath tune.
  • Dan from NapervilleIt's "long grey cloak", not "funny clothes". Geezer's hand-written lyrics were recently posted to the Black Sabbath group on Facebook.
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaBetcha their dealer gave them a bonus dime bag for free for this tribute! *LOL*
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InSabbath's blues roots show through loud and clear on this excellent song.
    After all, blues is where it ALL started.
    Love this song, and it's nice to hear Ozzy hit the old mouth harp for something different.
  • Johnny from New York City, NyThe song IS about drugs. It appears to be comparing a drug dealer to a wizard, in this case Geezer used Gandalf. The band did take drugs and songs ("Fairies Wear Boots","Snowblind","Supernaut" and Sweet Leaf") reflect that BUT some of their song's lyrics did not glorify drugs and contained warnings of drug use("Hand of Doom" and "Killing Yourself to Live").
  • Rocco from TorontoI love simple guitar with the harmonica. Sounds great
  • Greg from Huntsville, Aland also remember that since the dawn of time, magic and the like USUALLY goes hand in hand with drugs.
  • Paul from Liverpool, EnglandLook, let's just get this straight. The song is about drugs, whether other people e.g. Tim, like it or not. I can't stand these people who say they're 'into Sabbath' but attempt to wash away all the drug references to suit themselves. Sabbath were a 'drug band' (and all the better for it) so live with it!
  • Kevin from Philadelphia, PaNice mentioning Botch in the songfacts, what can I say, Botch is without a doubt one of my favorite bands... but I enjoy both versions of the song though.
  • James from Anchorage, AkI think the song may have been written to symbolize gandalf from the lord of the rings, it kind've fits to.
  • Tim from Dupont, WaWhy does it always have to be about drugs? Why can't it just be about a Wizard?
  • Ravyn from Hell, NyIommi said this song was about Sabbath's drug dealer when it was written.
  • Robert from Chicago, Ilive heard from the biggest black sabbath fan ever this is about drug dealers (i dont know his source though). but recently i read a interview with Geezer Butler:

    Give us a quick memory about writing or recording the following songs:

    The Wizard = The Wizard, I was reading 'Lord of the Rings' at the time, and I just based the lyrics on that. Gandalf.
  • Mike from Greeley, CoWell, as long as we are reading things into it, I would say that "The Wizard" is Ozzy's manic side (as in, how he feels when he is "up"(whether with the aid of chemicals or without)) in essence, the Dr. Jeckle to his Mr. Hyde(which is characterized in "Paranoid."). Or, it actually supports itself quite nicely as a a Gothic Fairy Tale in and of itself.
  • Michael Picard from Lapwai, IdI love the Harmonica played by Ozzy. Such a Wicked song to the maximum supreme extreme.
  • Quicksilver from Santa Cruz, Cathe ozzy album is "blizzard of ozz
  • Curlymmiv from Mesa, AzThat's an interesting idea, Chris. I never thought of it like that. But what about the reference to "funny clothes" and "twinkling bell"?
    Plus, the harmonica at the beginning and all-around 'happy' feel of the music makes me think of a wizard waling around, but I guess that could be in reference to drugs.
  • Chris from Marlboro , NjThe Wizard is a drug dealer. Song lyrics include "He turns tears into joy everyone's happy when the wizard walks by" and the chorus is "Never talking Just keeps walking spreading his magic"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.