The Black Velvet Band

In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprenticed to trade I was bound

Oh many an hour's sweet happiness

Have 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

Chorus (after each verse):

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

Oh 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 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)

So I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid

And a gentleman, passing us by

Oh I knew that she meant the undoing of him

By the look in her roguish black eye

A gold watch she took from his pocket

And slipped it right into my hand

And the very first thing that I said was

"Bad cess to the black velvet band"

(Chorus)

Seven long years' penal servitude

I spent down in Van Dieman's Land

Far away from my friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band

(Chorus 2x)

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