‘Twas in the neat little town they call Belfast,
Apprentice to trade I was bound,
With many the hour of happiness I spent in that sweet little town
Till sad misfortune came o'er me, and caused me to stray from the land,
Far away from my friends and relations, to follow the Black Velvet Band.
(Chorus)
You’d think she was queen o’ the land,
With her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a Black Velvet Band
As I went walking down Broadway,
Not meaning to stray very far,
I met with a frolicksome damsel a-working her trade in the bar
A watch she took from a customer and slipped it right into my hand,
Then the law came and put me in prison, bad luck to the Black Velvet Band
(Chorus)
Next day, before judge and jury,
The both of us had to appear
And the judge, he said "Young fellow, the case against you is quite clear-
It's seven long years transportation, you're going to Van Diemans’ Land,
Far away from your friends and relations to follow her Black Velvet Band.
(Chorus)
Awarning take you from me,
Whenever you're out on the liquor me lads, b
They’ll fill you with whiskey and porter until you’re unable to stand
And the very next thing that you know, me lads, you're bound of for Van Diemans’ Land.
(Chorus)