"Black Velvet Band" - as played by The Dubliners
[Verse 1]
G
In a neat little town they called Belfast
C D
Apprentice to trade I was bound
G
And many an hour sweet happiness
D G
Have I spent in that neat little town
[Verse 2]
G
As sad misfortune came over me
C D
Which caused me to stray from the land
G
Far away from me friends and relations
D G
Betrayed by the black velvet band
[Chorus 1]
G
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
C D
I thought her the queen of the land
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
[Verse 3]
G
I took a stroll down Broadway
C D
Meaning not long for to stay
G
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
D G
Come a-traipsing along the highway
[Verse 4]
G
She was both fair and handsome
C D
Her neck, it was just like a swan
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
[Chorus 2]
G
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
C D
I thought her the queen of the land
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
[Verse 5]
G
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
C D
And a gentleman passing us by
G
Well, I knew she meant the doing of him
D G
By the look in her roguish black eye
[Verse 6]
G
A gold watch she took from his pocket
C D
And placed it right into my hand
G
And the very first thing that I said, was
D G
Bad 'cess to the black velvet band
[Chorus 3]
G
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
C D
I thought her the queen of the land
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
[Verse 7]
G
Before the judge and the jury
C D
Next morning, I had to appear
G
The judge, he says to me: “Young man,
D G
— you're case it is proven clear
[Verse 8]
G
We'll give you seven years penal servitude
C D
To be spent far away from the land
G
Far away from your friends and relations
D G
Betrayed by the black velvet band"
[Chorus 4]
G
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
C D
I thought her the queen of the land
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
[Verse 9]
G
So come all you jolly young fellows
C D
A warning take by me
G
When you are out on the town, me lads
D G
Beware of the pretty colleens
[Verse 10]
G
They'll feed you with strong drink, me lads
C D
'til you are unable to stand
G
And the very first thing that you'll know is
D G
You've landed in Van Diemen’s Land
[Chorus 5]
G
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
C D
Her neck it was just like a swan
G
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
D G
Tied up with a black velvet band
