In a neat little town they called Belfast Apprenticed to trade I was bound And many an hour’s sweet happiness Have I spent in that neat little town A bad misfortune came over me Which caused me to stray from the land Far away from me friends and relations 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 I took a stroll down Broadway Meaning not long for to stay When who should I see but a pretty fair maid Come tripping along the pathway She was both fair and handsome Her neck it was just like a swan’s And her hair it 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 a doing for him By the look in her roguish black eye His watch she took from his pocket And placed it right into me hand And the very next thing that I said was Bad luck to the Black Velvet Band Before the Judge and Jury Next morning I had to appear The Judge he said to me: Young man Your case it is proved clear I’ll give you seven years penal servitude To be spent right away from the land Far away from your friends and relations Betrayed by the Black Velvet Band So come all you jolly young fellows A warning take by me When you are out on the town, me lads Beware of the pretty colleens They’ll treat you to strong drink, me boys Till you are not able to stand And the very next thing that you know is You’ve landed in Van Diemens Land