Black Velvet Band Lyrics - The Dubliners Essential Collection - Dubliners

In a neat little town they called Belfast 

Apprentice to trade I was bound 

And many an hour sweet happiness 

Have I spent in that neat little town 

As 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 

Her eyes they shown 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 

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 

And her hair, it hung over her shoulder 

Tied up with a black velvet band 

Her eyes they shown 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 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 my hand 

And the very first thing that I said, was 

Bad 'cess to the black velvet band 

Her eyes they shown 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 

Before the judge and the jury 

Next morning, I had to appear 

The judge, he says to me: 

"Young man, you're case it is proven clear 

We'll give you seven years penal servitude 

To be spent far away from the land 

Far away from your friends and relations 

Betrayed by the black velvet band" 

Her eyes they shown 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 

So come all you jolly young fellows 

A warning take by me 

When you are out on the town, me lads 

Beware of the pretty colleens 

They'll feed you with strong drink, me lads 

'Til you are unable to stand 

And the very first thing that you'll know is 

You've landed in Van Diemens Land 

Her eyes they shown like diamonds 

Her neck, it was just like a swan 

And her hair, it hung over her shoulder 

Tied up with a black velvet band