Black Velvet Band

Words and Music : Traditional

In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprenticed to trade I was bound,
And many an hour of sweet happiness
I found in that neat little town.
Till sad misfortune came o'er me
Which caused me to stray from the land,
Far away from my friends and relations
To follow the black velvet band.

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 in a black velvet band.

As I went a strolling one evening
Not meaning to go very far,
I met with a ficklesome damsel
Who was plighting her trade in the bar.
And a watch she stole from a customer
And plops it right into my hand,
The law came and put me in prison
Bad luck to the black velvet band.

CHORUS

[Non-traditional verse :-)]
As I went a strolling that evening
Not meaning to go far astray,
Who should I meet, but a pretty fair maid
Come tripping and skipping my way.
On her busom she wore a large notice
Advertising the price of her tail,
And on her behind for the sake of the blind
Was the same information in braille.

CHORUS

Next morning before judge and jury
At her trial I had to appear,
And the judge he says, me young fellow
The case against you is quite clear.
And seven long years is you 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'll have you take warning by me,
For whenever you're well filled with liquor me lads
Beware of the pretty colleens.
For they'll oil you with whiskey and porter
Till you are not able to stand,
And the very next thing that you know, my lads
You've landed in Van Dieman's Land.

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