Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

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

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Well, I went out strolling one evening, not meaning to 
go very far,
When I met with a frolicksome damsel. She was selling 
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 her black velvet band!

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Next morning, before judge and jury, for trial I had to 
appear.
And the judge, he said "my young fellow, the case 
against you is quite clear.
And seven long years is your sentence. You're going to 
Van Diemen's Land,
Far away from your friends and relations. They follow 
the black velvet band."

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Now, come all ye jolly young fellows, I'll have you 
take warning by me.
And whenever you're out on the liquor, my lads, beware 
of the pretty colleens.
For they'll fill you with whiskey and porter, til you 
are not able to stand.
And the very next thing that you know, my lads, you've 
landed in Van Diemen's
Land.

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds.
You'd think she was queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band