Black Velvet Band

In a neat little town they call Belfast

An apprentice boy I was bound

And many's the happy hour

I have spent in that neat little town

But bad misfortune o'ertook me

And caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations,

Betrayed by the black velvet band

Oh, one evening late as I rambled

Not meaning to go very far,

When I met with a gay young deceiver

She was plyin' her trade in a bar.

Oh, her eyes they shone like the diamonds

And I thought her the pride of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band.

Oh, one evening a flashman, a watchman

She happened to meet on the sly

I could tell that her mind it was altered

By the roll of her roving dark eye

Oh, that watch she took from his pocket

She slipped it right into my hand

Then she gave me in charge to the policeman

Bad luck to the black velvet band

Now before the Lord Mayor I was taken

My guilt they proved quite plain

And he said if I was not mistaken

I should have to cross the salt main

Now its sixteen long years have they gave me

To plough upon Van Dieman's land

Far away from my friends and relations

A curse on the black velvet band

So come all ye jolly young fellows,

I'll have ye take warning from me

Whenever you're out on the liquor,

Beware of them pretty colleens.

They'll treat you to whiskey and porter,

Till you are not able to stand;

And the very next thing that you know, my lads,

You'll end up in Van Dieman's land.