"Black Velvet Band" Lyrics

Black Velvet Band

Words and Music - Traditional
As performed by Allison Crowe

Her eyes they shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.

In the neat little town they call Belfast,
apprenticed to trade I was bound.
And many an hour of sweet happiness,
have I spent in that neat little town

'til sad misfortune came o'er 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 shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.

As I was strolling down Broadway,
meaning not long for to stay,
when who should I meet but this pretty fair maid,
come a-courtin' along the highway.

She was both fair and handsome,
and her neck it was just like a swan.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.

Now as I was courtin' this pretty fair maid,
and a gentlemen passin' us by,
I know 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 me hand.
And the very next thing that I said was,
that it fit like a black velvet band.

Before the judge and the jury,
next morning I had to appear.
And the judge he says to me, "Young man,
Your case it is forever clear.

"Now, I'll give you seven years at hard labour,
To be served far away from this land."
Far away from me friends and relations,
betrayed by the black velvet band.

So, come all you jolly young fellows,
a warning you'll take by me.
Whenever you're out on the town, me lads,
beware of the pretty colleens.

They'll fill you up with some drink, me lads,
'til you are unable to stand.
And the very next thing that you'll know is,
you've landed in Van Diemen's Land.

Her eyes they shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.

And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.