In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprenticed in trade I was bound

And many an hour of sweet happiness

I spent in that neat little town

Till bad misfortune came o'er me

And caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations

To follow the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like the diamond

You'd think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulder

Tied up in a black velvet band

Well, I was out strolling one evening

Not meaning to go very far

When I met with a pretty young damsel

She was selling her trade in a 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

Her eyes they shone like the diamond

You'd think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulder

Tied up in a black velvet band

Next morning before judge and jury

For our trial I had to appear

The judge, he said, 'Young fellow

The case against you is quite clear

And seven years is your sentence

You're going to Van Dieman's Land

Far away from your friends and relations

To follow the black velvet band'

Her eyes they shone like the diamond

You'd think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulder

Tied up in a black velvet band

So come all you jolly young fellows

I'd have you take warning by me

And whenever you're out on the liquor

Beware of the pretty colleen

They'll fill you with whiskey and porter

Until you're not able to stand

And the very next thing that you know

You've landed in Van Dieman's Land

Her eyes they shone like the diamond

You'd think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulder

Tied up in a black velvet band