In the neat little town they call
Belfast and apprentice to trade I was bound.
Many's the hour sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town.
But 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 the
Diamonds, you think she is queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her
Shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
As I was strolling one evening, not meaning to go very far.
I met with this ficklesome damsel,
She was selling her trade at the bar.
A gold watch she stole from a pocket and placed it right into my hand.
Then the law came and put me in
Prison, bad luck to the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like the
Diamonds, you think she is queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her
Shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury, next morning I had to appear.
The judge he said to me, "Young man, the case against you is clear.
Seven long years is your sentence,
To be spent far away from your land.
Far away from your friends and
Relations to follow the black velvet band."
Her eyes they shone like the
Diamonds, you think she is queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her
Shoulders, tied up with the 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,
Young lads, beware of the pretty colleens.
They'll feed you with whiskey and
Porter, till you are unable to stand.
Then the very next thing that you know,
Me boys, you'll wind up in Van Diemen's Land.
Her eyes they shone like the
Diamonds, you think she is queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her
Shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like the
Diamonds, you think she is queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her
Shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.