BLACK VELVET BAND In a neat little town they call Belfast Apprentice to trade I was bound And many an hours 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 me 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 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 rare and handsome Her neck it was just like a swan And her hair hung over her shoulder 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 me hand And the very first thing that I said was Bad Cess to the black velvet band. Before the judge and the jury Next morning I had to appear The judge he said to me young man Your case it is proven clear We'll give you seven years penal servitude To be spent very far from the land Far away from your friends and relations Betrayed by the black velvet band. So come all you jolly young fellows A warning take by me When you are out on the town me lad Beware of the pretty colleen She'll feed you with strong drink me lad Till you are unable to stand And the very first thing that you'll know is You've landed in Van Dieman's land.