Black Velvet Band                                                          Trad

Chorus:

Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

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 walking down Broadway

Apprenticed to trade I was bound

And many an hour's sweet happiness

I spent in that neat little town.

Till bad misfortune came o'er me

That caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations

To follow the black velvet band.

Chorus

Well, I was out strolling one evening

Not meaning to go very far

When I met with a pretty young damsel

Who was selling her trade in the bar.

When I watched, she took from a customer

And slipped it right into my hand

Then the Watch came and put me in prison

Bad luck to the black velvet band.

Chorus

Next morning before judge and jury

For a trial I had to appear

And the judge, he said, "You young fellows...

The case against you is quite clear

And seven long 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."

Chorus

So come all you jolly young fellows

I'd have you take warning by me

Whenever you're out on the liquor, me lads,

Beware of the pretty colleen.

She'll fill you with whiskey and porter

Until you're not able to stand

And the very next thing that you'll know, me lads,

You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.

Chorus