In the neat little town they call
Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound.
And many the hour sweet happiness, I spent in that neat little town.
Till 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.
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds,
I thought her the Queen of the land.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
As I was walking down Broadway, not meaning to stay very long.
When who should I meet but this pretty
Fair maid as she came strolling along.
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swan.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds,
I thought her the Queen of the land.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
I took a stroll with this pretty
Fair maid and a gentleman passing us by.
I knew she had the doing of me by the look in her roguish black eye.
A gold watch she took from his
Pocket and placed it right into my hand.
The very first thing that I said was,
"Bad 'cessed to the black velvet band."
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds,
I thought her the Queen of the land.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury, next morning I had to appear.
The judge he said to me, "Young man,
The case against you is quite clear.
Seven long 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 shone like the diamonds,
I thought her the Queen of the land.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.
Her hair hung over her shoulders, tied up with the black velvet band.