Black Sabbath: Walpurgis
Black Sabbath made quite an impact in 1970. While their doom-laden blues won over rock fans, the name caused dread amongst conservative parents. Both album cover and lyrical content aligned with expectation. Inside the gatefold, an inverted cross doubled down on occult imagery.
In contrast to the self-titled debut, the follow-up Paranoid minimized occult references. Sure, “War Pigs” mentioned “witches” and “Satan,” but that imagery was used as a critical commentary on war and the folly of man. Other songs like “Hand of Doom” were still dark and foreboding, yet strictly centered on worldly horrors.
“War Pigs,” however, was initially a quite darker affair that would have continued to embrace the occult. Originally titled, “Walpurgis,” Geezer explored the unholy events of Walpurgis Night.
According to folklore, witches would congregate on Saint Walpurgis Eve, a feast day meant to celebrate the legacy of the missionary, Saint Walpurga. Battling witchcraft was an integral part of her legacy and Christians seeking protection from witches would often pray to God through Saint Walpurga.
Over the years, legend grew that witches and other evil entities were free to wander the Earth during Walpurgis Night. Tales of unholy debauchery gradually became entrenched in culture. An 1878 painting by Luis Ricardo Falero captured the Walpurgis legend in vivid detail. Titled Walpurgisnacht. Der Aufbruch der Hexen, the English translation reads, “Walpurgis Night. The Departure of the Witches.”
Walpurgis was perfect subject matter for a Black Sabbath song. The lyrics were inherently macabre as Geezer painted his own vision of Walpurgis Night.
Witches gather at black masses
Bodies burning in red ashes
On the hill the church in ruin.
Is the scene of evil doings
It’s a place for all bad sinners
Watch them eating dead rats’ innards.
I guess it’s the same, wherever you may go
Oh lord yeah
Carry banners which denounce the lord
See me rocking in my grave
See them anoint my head with dead rat’s blood
See them stick the stake through me
Don’t hold me back cause I just gotta go
They’ve got a hold of my soul now
Lords got my brain instinct with blood obscene
Look in my eyes I’m there enough
On the scene a priest appears
Sinners falling at his knees
Satan sends out funeral pyre
Casts the priest into the fire
It’s the place for all bad sinners.
Watch them eating dead rats’ innards
I guess it’s the same, where ever you may go
Oh lord yeah
It wasn’t long until Geezer toyed with the lyrics, ultimately morphing a tale of depravity into the anti-war anthem “War Pigs.” Fortunately for fans, the original “Walpurgis” was performed during a 1970 John Peel radio broadcast and has been preserved.
For decades, “Walpugis” was only available as a bootleg. “Walpurgis,” along with a “Black Sabbath” performance culled from the same session, were eventually released as part of the 1997 Ozzy Osbourne compilation The Ozzman Cometh. Although the full Peel Sessions have never seen an official release, bootlegs are available.
