The Black Velvet Band - Paddy Reilly

In a neat little town they called Belfast

Apprentice to trade I was bound

And many an hour sweet happiness

Have I spent in that neat little town

As sad misfortune came over me Which caused me to stray from the land

Far away from me friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band

Her eyes they shown 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

Come a-traipsing along the highway

She was both fair and handsome

Her neck, it was just like a swan

And her hair, it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

Her eyes they shown 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 into my hand

And the very first thing that I said, was

Bad 'cess to the black velvet band

Her eyes they shown 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

Before the judge and the jury

Next morning, I had to appear

The judge, he says to me:

«Young man, you’re 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 relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band»

Her eyes they shown 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 the pretty colleens

They’ll feed you with strong drink, me lads

'Till you are unable to stand

And the very first thing that you’ll know is You’ve landed in Van Diemens Land

Her eyes they shown like diamonds

Her neck, it was just like a swan

And her hair, it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band