The Black Velvet Band

In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to a trade I was bound
And many’s an hour’s sweet happiness
Have I spent in this 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.

Her eyes they shone like diamonds
you’d think she was the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band.

I was out strolling one ev ’ning
not meaning to go very far
When I met with a pretty you damsel
who was selling her trade in the bar
When I watched, she took from a customer and slipped it right into my hand
then the Watch came and put me in prison
bad luck to the black velvet band
. *

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And the gentleman passing us by
Well 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 I said was
Bad ’cess to the black velvet band.

Before the judge and the jury
Next morning I had to appear
And the judge he said to me ‘Young man
Your case 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 companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band.