
Released November 23, 1987 (UK)
Released December 8, 1987 (US)
Re-Released April 22, 1996
Re-Released (Deluxe) on November 1, 2010
[ Lyrics | Tour Dates ]

2010 Deluxe CD [ Amazon US | Amazon UK ]
1987 CD [ Amazon US | Amazon UK ] | 1996 CD [ Amazon US | Amazon UK ]
MP3 [ Amazon US ] | Deluxe MP3 [ Amazon UK ] | iTunes (US)
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Track Listing
- The Shining
- Ancient Warrior
- Hard Life to Love
- Glory Ride
- Born to Lose
- Nightmare
- Scarlet Pimpernel
- Lost Forever
- Eternal Idol
- Black Moon (2010 Deluxe Only)
- Some Kind of Woman (2010 Deluxe Only)
Disc 2 (2010 Deluxe Only)
- Glory Ride
- Born to Lose
- Lost Forever
- Eternal Idol
- The Shining
- Hard Life to Love
- Nightmare
- Ancient Warrior
Writing Credits
- All music & lyrics by Tony Iommi
- NOTE: That’s not the truth, that’s just the way it was credited. A lot of lyrics were written by Bob Daisley, with some help from Ray Gillen.
Credits
- Tony Martin – Vocals
- Ray Gillen – Vocals (Disc 2, Deluxe Edition only)
- Tony Iommi – Guitar
- Bob Daisley – Bass
- Dave Spitz – Bass (credited, but doesn’t appear on the album)
- Eric Singer – Drums
- Bev Bevan – Percussion (Scarlet Pimpernel only)
- Geoff Nicholls – Keyboards
- Produced by Jeff Glixman, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, & Chris Tsangerides
- Recorded at Air Studios, Monterserrat & Battery Studios, London
- Mixed by Chris Tsangerides
- 1996 Remaster by Ray Staff
- 1996 Design, Booklet Notes, & sleeves by Hugh Gilmour
- 2010 Remaster by Andy Pearce & Matt Wortham
- 2010 Sleevenotes by Alex Milas
- 2010 Design by Hugh Gilmour
- 2010 Project Management by Jon Richards
- 2010 Release Coordination by Steve Hammonds
Catalogue Numbers
- LP Warner Bros 9-25548-1 (US 1987)
- CD Warner Bros 9-25548-2 (US 1987)
- CASS Warner Bros 9-25548-4 (US 1987)
- LP Vertigo VERH-51 (UK 1987)
- LP Nippon 25PP-225 (JPN 1987)
- LP Discos Philips 832-708-1 (COL 1988)
- CD Essential ESM-CD-336 (UK 1996)
- CASS Essential RSM-MC-336 (UK 1996)
- CD Sanctuary SMRCD077 (UK 2004)
- CD Universal 2752460 (EUR 2010)
- CD Universal UICY-25131 (JPN 2011)
Notes
- This was the first Black Sabbath album to be recorded digitally.
- The cover art for the album is based off of a statue created by sculptor Auguste Rodin in 1889. Here’s a link with pictures and info about the real sculpture. You can read more about Rodin here.
- The band could not get the rights to use the 1889 original sculpture for the cover art, but instead had a couple of models get all “dirtied up”, and posed in the same positions as the original sculpture. That is what is on the actual album cover art.
- There is a music video for The Shining. The video for has Terry Chimes on drums, but there is a total unknown playing bass. This person on bass in the video is not on any album or tour, he was just there for filming that day only; having literally been plucked off the street for the shoot.
- Black Moon & Some Kind of Woman were originally released as B-Sides in 1987.
- Black Moon was later re-recorded for the Headless Cross album.
- Ray Gillen (vocals) recorded this album and left the band before release – Tony Martin came in and re-recorded all the vocals. There are a couple of versions with Ray Gillen floating around the collector’s circles.
- According to Tony Martin, one piece of Ray Gillen’s version of this album made it to the finished product. That being some laughter on the track “Nightmare”. Listen closely to that track, it’s Ray laughing.
- For the Eternal Idol Tour, neither Eric Singer nor Bev Bevan played live. For this tour, Terry Chimes played drums.
- For the Eternal Idol Tour, neither Bob Daisley nor Dave Spitz played live. For this tour, Jo Burt played bass.
- The liner notes that accompany this album are missing the lyrics to the first two verses of The Shining. Even on the remaster.
- This part of the band’s history is extremely confusing. Go check out this page for further details.
- While the album credits Dave Spitz as playing bass, all the bass on the album is Bob Daisley. In January of 2009, Bob passed along a remark to me about why Spitz was credited. Bob said this, “By the way, the question as to why Dave Spitz is credited on the album in the bass credits is answered by the fact that I wouldn’t join the band and Spitz stayed, so to give some sort of continuity to the album and live performances, his name appears on the record.”
- In January of 2010, I received an email from Geoff Nicholls explaning the genesis of “Black Moon” which appears here and then later on Headless Cross. Here it is:
Hi Joe
yea it sure was a long and winding road makng the Eternal Idol
anyway Black Moon was recorded in Monseratte with Bob Daisley on Bass
as Dave was not there by then when we come to put Lyrics on it
Ray was having problems coming up with a completed version
we sat down together to work on it but it never really fulfilled its promise
so it was left to work on the ones we decided were best for the Album
anyway after Ray disappeared and at a later date it was suggested
that we needed a couple of extra tracks for B-sides this was after
Tony Martin had finished recording the Album so Tony Martin came over
to my house and we worked on it but it still did not seem to have
that something so i suggested to Tony Martin I put some keyboards on it
and I had a title for a good hookline I see a Blackmoon Rising and Tony
came up with a great verse in the end we wanted a better hook line so
I completely changed the chord structure playing keyboards and keyboard
bass line but only in the chorus when we played it in the studio Tony Iommi
and Chris the Engineer co -producer loved it so we dropped the keyboards
in it and i replayed the bass line on keyboards drooping Bob out of those parts
just for the chorus Bob was still playing the main bass parts that was
for the B-side when we did it for the Headless cross it was completely
re-recorded and Lawrence Cottle played the bass and Cozy played a
different Drum pattern Some kind of Women was another Track never
finished so on the train Down to London to go to the studio Tony
Martin and Myself wrote the Lyrics then Tony Iommi recorded some
extra guitar tracks and put a solo on it and that was that. two B-sides done
Hope this helps
Geoff
Images
- The following are the front and rear images from the single of “The Shining”
- The following image is the original 1987 US vinyl release of the album.
- The following is the back CD cover for the 1987 original US CD release.

- The following are scans of the cassette tape release from the 1987 US original. The flip side of the case is all lyrics, so I did not scan it.
- The following are scans from the 1996 Castle Remaster. It shows the disc itself, as well as the back cover art.
- The following image is the back cover art from the 2010 Deluxe Edition.
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The Shining
There’s a man who sees all there is to see
What the future holds for all
As the days grow dark with the grim and final warning
Beware of the ones with invisible friends
They will steal into your mind
And all too soon the signs begin to show
Rise up to the shining
Live long live now
Rise up to the shining
Don’t be blind by fools again
Fools again
As the pages turn and the story’s told
From the visions he’s seen
The house on the hill
With the haunted eyes that call
Noone laughed as madness came out
To play it’s game
If you stay too long you’ll finally go insane
Rise up to the shining
Live long live now
Rise up to the shining
Don’t be blind by fools again
Fools again
Bells will take their toll
On your way
There’s no way we’re born to shine
Before our time, all your life
You’re on your own
Lonely road
Lost in a time
Let the light lead your way
To the golden throne
It’s the only way
Rise up to the shining
Live long live now
Rise up to the shining
Don’t be blind by fools again
Rise up to the shining
Live long live now
Rise up the shining
Don’t be blind by fools again
Oh rise up, to the shining
Wise up they’re gonna steal your mind
Rise up, the house is gonna haunt you
No one laughed, no one cried
You stayed too long
You’re finally gonna stay
NOTES:
- The US Warner Bros versions (vinyl/CD/cassette) and the Castle/Universal versions are missing the first four verses of lyrics. It is not known why, I’ve asked around, and the best guess is that it was an error on the original release that’s been replicated during several re-releases.
- The final two lines appear on the lyric sheet, but are not sung.
- The original Ray Gillen version of this song has a completely different last verse.
Ancient Warrior
There’s no end – there’s no beginning
To the old man’s story
Does he still remember me
From lives gone by
Oh I see his spirit rising
Upon the back of time
I’ve got nowhere to hide
Will he keep a place for me
He is the king of all kings
The keeper of light
He holds eternity’s wings
In his eyes an ocean’s burning
Swollen seas of tears
Troubled mind the beating
War drums in his ears
No one ever hears his warning
Am I the one he calls
When they tell me they’re afraid
Some say I’ll be put away
He is the king of all kings
The keeper of light
He holds eternity’s wings
My blood will spill my blood
My blood will spill my blood
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
He is the king of all kings
The keeper of light
He holds eternity’s wings
Hard Life to Love
Livin’ in the fast lane is easy
Till you run out of road
Friends will turn to strangers
When you’re out of control
A slip of the tongue when
It’s done, is often hard to
See it thru
So never let your words be lies
Or they’ll come looking for you
It’s a hard life to love
For the price of glory you left
And threw your fortunes away
Never really cared too much for
The job or the pay
You’re standing in the rain with
No cover but you never complain
You’re an angry young man face to
Face but your mirrors insane
It’s a hard life to love
I’m simply refusing a part in your world
And I see how it burns
See how it burns
And you’re simply denying the fact
That you’re blind and I see no more
I see red – I only see red
Think of all the times I was
Hurting but you felt no pain
Think of all the lies you told me
Again and again
And still you see the truth
From those who continue to lie
And now you’re seeking life
From those who are living to die
It’s a hard life to love
I’m simply refusing a part in your world
And I see how it burns
See how it burns
And you’re simply denying the fact
That you’re blind and I see no more
I see red – I only see red
Livin’ in the fast lane ain’t easy
When you run out of road
Friends will turn to strangers
When you’ve nowhere to go
Don’t give a damn when you’re lost
Cause you’ll die from it all
Laws were made to be broken
And you do it for the thrill of it all
It’s a hard life to love
It’s a hard life to love
Glory Ride
Winged with steel they fill the air
The soldiers of fortune will ride
In the sights of the enemy’s gun
Those who have taken their oaths tonight
Are well prepared they know they’ll
Do or die even if it’s suicide
Let’s take a chance
As the skies will Burn tonite
Wasted lives and spirits run free
On the wings of no return
Dressed to kill where eagles dare
The fate of a nation’s at hand
Is this the answer to the prayers
Come the dawn, thru the blood
Red skies return with tears
In their eyes, and they
Recall thou shalt not kill
And in the morning
They’ll take a hero’s bow
And make the ever lasting flight
Hear them calling up above all
Across the skies
Hear them calling up above from
The other side
Here them call!
Let’s take a chance
As the skies will burn tonite
Wasted lives and spirits run free
On the wings of no return
Let’s take a chance
As the skies will burn tonite
Wasted lives and spirits run free
On the wings of no return
Born to Lose
I’ll play your game
But if you lose you’re gonna have to pay the price
Broken chains, like a prisoner free at last
The fear inside just up and died
Time will tell if i am wrong
It won’t be too long
You think I’m chasing shadows In the dark
Well I’m not born to lose
I’m not born to lose
You curse my name, as you turn and walk away, from view
It won’t be too long
You don’t scare me cos you’re
Hard to see and it’s time
That you were gone
It won’t be too long
You think I’m chasing shadows In the dark
Well I’m not born to lose
You think I’m chasing shadows In the dark
What you gonna do about it now
What you gonna do about it now
It won’t be too long
It won’t be too long
It won’t be too long
You think I’m chasing shadows In the dark
What you gonna do about it now
What you gonna do about it now
Ain’t nothing I can do about it now
Nightmare
Close my eyes starting dreaming
See a vision filled with wings
Head my way
Feel the presence of unknown power
Telling me to come
This is the only way
It’s dream within dream
Lost and lonely
Don’t get pulled by the devil’s hand
Silent screamer filled with fear
As the night time shapes a face
Then disappears
Scared forever into believing
That your mind has met the
Prince of whom you see
It’s dream within dream
Lost and lonely
Don’t get fooled by the
Devil’s hand
It’s dream within dream
Fool forever, don’t get fooled
Forever
Don’t get fooled, be the devil
In your eyes
The evil spirit rises
Blinded by the dark
You fall into shame
As the reaper takes you
Down the spiral stairway
You share the evil pit
With satan’s name
Nightmare it’s got me runnin’
Nightmare it’s calling you
Nightmare it’s got me runnin’
Nightmare it’s calling you
It’s dream within a dream
Lost and lonely
Don’t get fooled, be the devil
It’s dream within a dream
Lost forever
Don’t get fooled
It’s got me running
It’s just a nightmare
It’s got me running
It’s got me running
Scarlet Pimpernel
Instrumental
Lost Forever
All your life you’ve been slipping and sliding
Trying to find a way
Sun won’t shine but now it’s your time to pay
There’s no turning back as you look
The hangman in the eye
Now hell’s just your death away
It’s too late to say you care
When there’s evil in your stare
You say you’re not to blame
In your head voices mocking every prayer
Remember the face you saw
That once was you
Spirit high there’s no way that
You could lose
Give him rope they said
As you look the hangman in the eye
Now around your neck you feel
The noose
In your head voices mocking every prayer
Now you’re lost forever
I’m burning with fire it’s time to
Leave or get out
I’m burning in fire I can’t take
No more so get out
I’m burning with fire the wheels of
Steel will grind you
Burning in fire this time
You’re lost forever
Lost forever!
There’s an evil in your stare
Lost forever!
And hell’s just a breath away
You’re lost forever
And there’s no way out you burn
With fire it’s time to get out
Get out, get out
And there’s no way out
Lost forever
Eternal Idol
No one said it had to be this way
Why are we the victims of their final word
Dying world is killing us so slowly
I believe no god may save us now
Can’t you see what I see
Sinners say your prayers tonite
Your judgement day is here
Child tomorrow will die, not even
Born jesus our questions
He never seems to hear
Dying for the answers may be
The price we pay, to find the
Key to our lives
Is there a heaven is there a hell
Who’s this god, tell me there’s
No god above, why
We chose what lord, deep
Within our souls
He’s not one thing
We are his spirit
We could save this world
From destruction day
Can’t you see what I see
You and I victims of their word
As the masters of power
Try to poison our world
Greed money taken over
Their souls, you’re
Just mechanical brains
Politicians don’t know
Just don’t know
We can change this world we
Live in, don’t let it die
Some Kind of Woman
She’s young, but lord what a woman she’s quick as a brawl at five
She’s class, one hell of a woman, she really confused my mind
She’s bad, power of the pleasure is far enough ta chase
She’s fast, power of the pedal is keeping up the pace
Wise up, she’s some kind of woman
Wise up, you can’t get away
Wise up, ooh just when you think that its safe
I’m gone, I can’t justify when I ain’t got some control
So long, I ain’t gonna stop ’till I step right off this world
She’s gone, I guess I’m the winner of an innocent little time
Don’t look, a tap on the shoulder sends a shiver down my spine
Wise up, she’s some kind of woman
Wise up, can’t get away
Wise up, oh just when you think that its safe (safe) …
She’s back
Cryin’, to give all the lovin’ but I never was enough
I cried, I prayed up to Heaven but the Lord said, “Boy that’s tough.”
This smile, only served me to ruin me when I thought I had direction
That walk, how the hell did she do it every move was perfection
Wise up, she’s some kind of woman
Wise up, you can’t get away
Wise up, ooh just when you think that its safe
Ooh she’s back
Ah she’s back
Ahh my motors runnin’
It’s buzzin’
Ooh she’s back
Ah
Ooh she’s back
Ooh












i love black sabbath’s gothic style. long live black sabbath \../ (*_*) \../