Black Velvet Band

In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprenticed in trade I was bound

And many's the hour of sweet happiness

I spent in that neat little town

Till bad misfortune befell me

That caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations

To follow the black velvet band

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 with a black velvet band

As I was out strolling down broadway

Not intending to go very far

I met with a frolicksome damsel

Applying her trade in a bar

Well a watch she took from a customer

And she slipped it right into my hand

Then the Watch came and put me in prison

Bad luck to the black velvet band

Before judge and jury next morning

For our trial I had to appear

The judge, he said, "My young fellow,

The case against you is quite clear.

Well seven years is your sentence.

You're going to Van Dieman's Land.

Far away from your friends and relations

To follow the black velvet band."

So come all you jolly young fellows

I'd have you take warning by me

Whenever you're out on the liquor

Beware of the pretty colleen

For she'll fill you with whiskey and porter

Until You're not able to stand

And the very next thing that you notice

You've landed in Van Dieman's Land