In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to a trade I was bound
And many an hour’s sweet happiness
Have I spent in this neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me
Which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll down Broadway
Meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
Come a traipsing along the highway
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck it was just like a swans
And her hair is hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And a gentleman passing us by
Well I knew she meant the doing of him
By the look in her roguish black eye
A gold watch she took from his pocket
And placed it right into my hand
And the very first thing I knew was
I’d landed in Van Diemen’s land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before the judge and the jury
Next morning I had to appear
And the judge he says to me ‘Young man
Your case is proven clear’
We’ll give you seven years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land
Far away from your friends and companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
So come all ye jolly young fellows
A warning take from me
When you are out on the town me boys
Beware the pretty Colleens
For they feed you with strong drink – “More ya!”
‘Till you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you know is
You’ve landed in Van Diemen’s land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
– British Folk Song (early 1800s?)
The Black Velvet Band – Luke Kelly and the Dubliners
