Black Velvet Band - Bodh'aktan, Paddy Moloney

In a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound

And many an hour of sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town

But bad misfortune came o’er me, and caused me to stray from the land

Far away from me friends and relations.

They follow the black velvet band

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Well, I wnt out strolling one evening, not maning to go very far

When I met with a frolicksome damsel.

She was selling her trade in the bar

A watch she took from a customer, and slipped it right into my hand

Then the law came and put me in prison

Bad luck to her black velvet band!

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Next morning, before judge and jury, for trial I had to appear

Then the judge, he said «me young fellow, the case against you is quite clear

And seven long years is your sentence.

You’re going to Van Diemen’s Land

Far away from your friends and relations.

They follow the black velvet band.»

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Now, come all ye jolly young fellows, I’ll have you take warning by me

And whenever you’re out on the liquor, me lads, beware of the pretty colleens

For they’ll fill you with whiskey and porter, till you are not able to stand

And the very next thing that you know, me lads, you’ve landed in Van Diemen’s

Land

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land, —

And she was!

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Tied up with a black velvet band