Black Velvet Band Lyrics

          THE BLACK VELVET BAND 
          ---------------------     
 
v.1  In a neat little town they call Belfast, 
     An apprentice to trade I was bound, 
     And manys the hour of sweet happiness 
     I spent in that neat little town. 
 
v.2  Til a sad misfortune came over me, 
     and forced 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 the diamonds 
        You'd swear she was queen of the land, 
        and her hair hung over her shoulder, 
        tied up with a black velvet band 
 
v.3  As I went out strolling one evening, 
     not intending to stray very far 
     I met with a frolicsome damsel 
     Plying her trade in the bar 
  
v.4  A gold watch she clipped from a customer 
     and placed it right into my hand   
     On the very first day that I met her 
     Bad luck to the black velvet band 
Chorus 
 
v.5  To judge and jury next morning 
     for trial I had to appear 
     and the judge he said my young fellow 
     the case against you is quite clear 
 
v.6  I give you seven years penal servitude 
     To be spent far away from the land 
     Far away from your friends and relations 
     your going to *VanDamiens land 
 
Chorus 
  
v.7  So come all you jolly young fellows 
     A warning take by me 
     When ever you're out on the liquor 
     Beware of the pretty colleens 
 
v.8  For they will fill you with strong drink 
     until your not able to stand 
     and the very next thing that you know, me lads 
     you've landed in VanDamiens land 
 


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Note that Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) is no longer an Australian
penal colony. Its use as such ceased some time ago. (:-)