In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprenticed to trade I was bound
Oh many an hour's sweet happiness
Have I spent in that neat little townBut 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 bandChorus (after each verse):
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 bandI took a stroll down Broadway
Oh meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
Come a-traipsing along the highwayShe was both fair and handsome
Her neck, it was just like a swan's
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band(Chorus)So I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And a gentleman, passing us by
Oh I knew that she meant the undoing of him
By the look in her roguish black eyeA gold watch she took from his pocket
And slipped it right into my hand
And the very first thing that I said was
"Bad cess to the black velvet band"(Chorus)Seven long years' penal servitude
I spent down in Van Dieman's Land
Far away from my friends and relations
Betrayed by the black velvet band(Chorus 2x)
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