Black Velvet Band

 

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 

 

Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound 
Many an hours sweet happiness, have I spent in that neat little town 
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 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 comes a traipsing along the highway 
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swans 
And her hair it hung over her shoulder, tied up with a black velvet band 
 

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 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 in to my hand 
And the very next thing that I knew was I’d landed in Van Diemen’s Land

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 

 

                                        [Instrumental Break]

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 clear 
We'll give you seven years penal servitude, to be spent far away from the land 
Far away from your friends and companions, betrayed by the black velvet band"

 

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 

So come all you jolly young fellows a warning take by me 
When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them pretty colleens 
They’ll feed you with strong drink, "Oh yeah", 'til you are unable to stand 
And the very next thing that you'll know is you've landed in Van Diemen’s Land 

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 

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