In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And the many's the hours sweet happiness
I've I spent in that neat little town
But a sad misfortune's come over me
Which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from me friends and companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulder
Held up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll down Broadway
Intending not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
Come traipsing along the highway
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck it was white like a swan
And her hair, hung down from her shoulders
Held up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
Met a gentleman as he passed by
Sure, I knew 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 my hand
And the very first thing that I said was
"What's this?" to the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
But 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 proven and clear
I'll give you seven years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land
Far away from your friends and companions"
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
So come all you jolly young fellows
A warning take from me
And if you go out on the town, me boys,
Beware of the pretty Colleens
They'll feed you with strong drink, my lads,
'Til you are unable to stand
And the very first thing that you'll know is
You've landed in Van Dieman's Land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought she was queen of the land
Now I'm far away from my friends and companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band