Media : Lyrics

Black Velvet Band

In a neat little town they call Belfast, an apprentice to trade I was bound
And many a happy hour, I've spent in that neat little town
But a sad misfortune came over me, which took me away from the land
Far away from my friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band

Now as I was walking down Broadway, not intending to stay very long
I met a frolicsome damsel as she came a tripping along
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swan
And her hair 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 shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band

Now I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid, and a gentleman passed us by
Well I knew she had the taking of him, from the look in her roguish black eye
A gold watch she took from his pocket, and she placed it right into my hand
And the very first moment I met her, bad luck to the black velvet band

So before judge and jury next morning, sadly I had to appear
The judge he says to me: "Young man, your case it is proven clear
Well it's seven long year's transportation, that will take you away from the land
Far away from your 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 shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band

So come all you handsome young fellows, a warning you must take by me
When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them pretty colleens
For they feed you with porter and whiskey, until you're unable to stand
And the very next thing that you know is, you've landed in Van Diemens Land

Traditional