In a neat little town they called Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And many a pleasant hour
I spent in that sweet little town
Til A sad misfortune came over me
That caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations
Befall the black velvet band
Her eyes they shown like diamonds
You'd swear she was queen of the land
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
As I went walking down broadway
Meaning not long for to stay
But who should I meet but this pretty young maid
Come tripping along the highway
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck, it was just like a swan
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shown like diamonds
You'd swear she was queen of the land
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And a gentleman passing us by
I knew she meant the doing of him
By the look in her roguish dark eye
A gold watch she took out of his pocket
And placed it right into my hand
And the very first thing that I said, was
Bad luck to your black velvet band
Her eyes they shown like diamonds
You'd swear she was queen of the land
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before judge and jury
Next morning, the both of us did appear
And the gentlemen claiming his jewelery,
The case against us was clear:
All seven long years transportation,
Right on down to bandyman's land
Far away from your friends and relations
Betrayed by the black velvet band"
Her eyes they shown like diamonds
You'd swear she was queen of the land
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band