It was in the town of Tralee, an apprentice to trade I 
was bound
We had plenty of happy amusement to make the long 
evenings go 'round
'Till misfortune and ruin came o'er me, which caused me 
to leave from the land
Far away from my friends and companions to follow the 
black velvet band
Chorus:
And her eyes they shone like the diamonds, you'd think 
she was queen of the land
With her hair hanging over her shoulder, tied up with a 
black
velvet band
As I dandered along on the highway, not intending to 
stay very long
I met with a sweet little damsel and she coming 
tripping along
A watch she pulled out of her pocket and slipped it 
right into my hand
On the very first day that I met her, bad luck to the 
black velvet band
Chorus
Before judge and jury next morning, the both of us we 
did appear
And the gentleman swore to the jewelry, the case 
against us, it was clear
For seven long years transportation, I was hunted to 
Van Dieman's land
Far away from my friends and relations to follow the 
black velvet band
Chorus
Now, come all you sporting young fellows, a warning be 
taking from me
And beware of the sweet little damsels that are hanging 
around in Tralee
They'd treat you to whiskey and porter until you're not 
able to stand
And before you have time to get sober, you're landed in 
Van Dieman's land
Chorus