"Black Velvet Band"

  Black Velvet Band

  In a neat little town they call Belfast
  An apprentice boy I was bound
  And many's the happy hour
  I have spent in that neat little town
  But bad misfortune o'ertook me
  And caused me to stray from the land
  Far away from my friends and relations,
  Betrayed by the black velvet band

  Oh, one evening late as I rambled
  Not meaning to go very far,
  When I met with a gay young deceiver
  She was plyin' her trade in a bar.
  Oh, her eyes they shone like the diamonds
  And I thought her the pride of the land
  And her hair hung over her shoulders
  Tied up with a black velvet band.

  Oh, one evening a flashman, a watchman
  She happened to meet on the sly
  I could tell that her mind it was altered
  By the roll of her roving dark eye
  Oh, that watch she took from his pocket
  She slipped it right into my hand
  Then she gave me in charge to the policeman
  Bad luck to the black velvet band

  Now before the Lord Mayor I was taken
  My guilt they proved quite plain
  And he said if I was not mistaken
  I should have to cross the salt main
  Now its sixteen long years have they gave me
  To plough upon Van Dieman's land
  Far away from my friends and relations
  A curse on the black velvet band

  So come all ye jolly young fellows,
  I'll have ye take warning from me
  Whenever you're out on the liquor,
  Beware of them pretty colleens.
  They'll treat you to whiskey and porter,
  Till you are not able to stand;
  And the very next thing that you know, my lads,
  You'll end up in Van Dieman's land.

  

  Black Velvet Band (2)

  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 befell 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

  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"

  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 your with whiskey and porter
  Until You're not able to stand
  And the very next thing that you know
  You're landed in Van Dieman's Land

  

  Black Velvet Band (New Zealand Version)

  It was the time for leaving.
  An emigrant I was bound
  To say farewell to my true love
  And dear old London town.

  CHORUS:
  Her eyes they shone like diamonds
  As I took hold of her hand.
  Her hair hung down to her shoulder
  Tied up with a black velvet band.

  I knew not when I'd see her
  When I bade her adieu.
  For I was bound for New Zealand
  To see my contract through.

  I'm saving every penny
  And silver to be found;
  I'll latch on to every sovereign
  That reaches Auckland town.

  And when I'm rich and proper
  And own a store in town,
  I'll sail back home for my true love
  And then I'll settle down.

  In most other countries, "The Black Velvet Band" is a
  transportation ballad. In New Zealand, however, which
  never experienced transportation, it was adapted to fit
  this gentler (if perhaps less exciting) lyric.

  As recorded by Bruce Hall on "Song of a Young Country:
  New Zealand Folksongs."