The Black Velvet Band

 Lyrics In a neat little town they call Belfast Apprenticed in trade I was bound And many an hour of sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town Then bad misfortune came o'er me That caused me to stray from the land Far away from my friends and relations To follow the black velvet band

As I was out strolling one evening Not intending to stay very long I met a handsome young damsel As she came tripping along A gold watch she took from a pocket And slipped it right into my hand On the very first night that I met her Bad luck to the black velvet band.

(Chorus): Her eyes, they shone like the diamond You'd think she was queen of the land And her hair hung over her shoulder Tied up in a black velvet band

Before judge and jury next morning The both of us had to appear A gentleman said 'twas his jewellery And the case against us was clear For seven long years transportation I was sent off to Van Diemen's Land Far away from my friends and relations To follow this black velvet band

So come all you jolly young fellows I'll have you take warning by me Whenever you're out on the liquor me lads Beware of the pretty Colleen She'll fill you with whiskey and porter Until you're not able to stand And the very next thing you'd know, me lads You've landed in Van Diemen's Land.

Alternative lyrics (as sung by The Dubliners) Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast Apprentice to trade I was bound Many an hour's sweet happiness Have I spent in that 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

(Chorus): Her eyes they shone like diamonds I thought her the queen of the land And her hair it hung over her shoulder 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 Comes a tripping along the highway She was both fair and handsome Her neck it was just like a swan's And her hair it hung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band

(Chorus)

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 goldwatch she took from his pocket And placed it right in to my hand And the very first thing that I said was Bad luck to the black velvet band

(Chorus)

Before the judge and the jury Next morning I had to appear The judge he says to me: "Young man, your case it is proven clear We'll give you seven years penal servitude, to be spent faraway from the land Far away from your friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band"

(Chorus)

So come all you jolly young fellows A warning take by me When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them pretty colleens For they feed you with strong drink, "Oh yeah" 'til you are unable to stand And the very next thing that you'll know is you've landed in Van Diemens Land

(Chorus)