| lyric | Her eyes they shone like diamonds.
You’d think she was queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulder
tied up with a black velvet band.
'Twas in the town of Tralee
an apprentice to trade Iwas bound
With a-plenty of bright amusement
to see the days go round
Till misfortune and trouble came over me,
which caused me to stray from my land,
Far away from my friends and relations,
to follow the Black Velvet Band.
As Iwent strolling down broadway
not intending to stay very long
Imet with a frolicsome damsel
as she came tripping along.
A watch she took out of her pocket
and placed it right into my hand
On the very first day that Imet her
Bad luck to her black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury
the both of us had to appear,
And a gentleman swore to the jewellery
the case against us was clear,
For seven years transportation
right into Van Diemen's Land
Far away from my friends and relations,
to follow her Black Velvet Band.
Oh all you brave young Irish lads,
a warning take by me,
Beware of the pretty young damsels
that are knocking around in Tralee,
They'll treat you to whiskey and porter,
until you're unable to stand
And before you have time for to leave them,
you are unto Van Diemen's Land. |