THE BLACK VELVET BAND

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v.1 In a neat little town they call Belfast,

An apprentice to trade I was bound,

And manys the hour of sweet happiness

I spent in that neat little town.



v.2 Til a sad misfortune came over me,

and forced me to stray from the land,

far away from my friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band



Chorus:



Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You'd swear she was queen of the land,

and her hair hung over her shoulder,

tied up with a black velvet band



v.3 As I went out strolling one evening,

not intending to stray very far

I met with a frolicsome damsel

Plying her trade in the bar



v.4 A gold watch she clipped from a customer

and placed it right into my hand

On the very first day that I met her

Bad luck to the black velvet band

Chorus



v.5 To judge and jury next morning

for trial I had to appear

and the judge he said my young fellow

the case against you is quite clear



v.6 I give you seven years penal servitude

To be spent far away from the land

Far away from your friends and relations

your going to *VanDamiens land



Chorus



v.7 So come all you jolly young fellows

A warning take by me

When ever you're out on the liquor

Beware of the pretty colleens



v.8 For they will fill you with strong drink

until your not able to stand

and the very next thing that you know, me lads

you've landed in VanDamiens land







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Note that Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) is no longer an Australian

penal colony. Its use as such ceased some time ago. (