In a neat little town they call belfast,
Appreticed to trade i was bound,
And manys the hours of happiness,
I've spent in that neat little town.
But a sad misfortune came over me,
Which caused me to stray from this land,
Far way from his friends and relations,
Betrayed by the black velvet band.

Chorus:
Her eyes they shone like dimonds,
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 along broadway,
Meaning not long for to stay,
When who should i meet but this pretty fair maid.
Come traipsing along the higway.
She was both fair and handsome,
Her neck it was just like a swans,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Well i took a stroll with this pretty fair maid,
And a gentleman passing us by,
Well i knew that she meant the doing of him,
By the look in her roguish black eyes.
A gold watch he took from his pocket,
And placed it right into my hand,
And the very next thing 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 says to me, "young man,
Your case it is proven quite clear.
I'll give you seven years penal servitude,
To be spent far away from this land,
Far away from his friends and relations,
Betrayed by the black velvet band.

So come all ye jolly young fellows,
A warning i take by me,
If you go out on th town, me boys,
Beware of the pretty coleens.
They'll feed you on strong drink, me lads,
'Till you are unable to stand,
And the very next thing that you know is,
You've landed in van diemens land.
Black Velvet Band