In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprentice to trade I was bound

And many's an hour's sweet happiness

I've spent in that neat little town

A sad misfortune came over me

Which caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band



(Chorus)

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band



I took a stroll down Broadway

And 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 shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band



(Chorus)



I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid

And a gentleman passing us by

Well I knew she meant the undoing of him

With a look in her rovish black eye

A gold watch she took from his pocket

And placed it right into my hand

And the very next thing that I said was

Bad cess to the black velvet band



(Chorus)



Before the judge and the jury

Next morning I had to appear

The judge he says to me young man

Your 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



(Chorus)



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 drinks me lads

Till you are unable to stand

And the very first thing that you know is

You've landed in Van Dieman's Land



(Chorus)