In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And many's the hour's of happiness
I spent in that sweet little town
'Till sad misfortune came over me
That forced me to flee from the land
Far away from my friends and relations,
Betrayed by a black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
I took a walk with that pretty young girl,
When a gentleman chanced to pass by,
And I knew she intended the doing of him
By the look in her roguish black eye.
His gold watch she took from his pocket
And pressed it right into my hand
And the very last words that I said to her
Was bad luck to your black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury,
Next day I was forced to appear;
And the judge he said to me, young man,
Your case is abundantly clear.
I'll give you ten years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land;
Far away from your friends and relations,
And the whench with the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
So come all you gay young fellows,
A warning take from me,
Be sure and stay clear of those pretty young girls,
When ever you go on a spree.
For they'll fill you with strong drink, me boys,
Until you're not able to stand;
And then when you're trying to get rid of them
They'll land you in Van Damien's land.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And many's the hour's of happiness
I spent in that sweet little town
'Till sad misfortune came over me
That forced me to flee from the land
Far away from my friends and relations,
Betrayed by a black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
I took a walk with that pretty young girl,
When a gentleman chanced to pass by,
And I knew she intended the doing of him
By the look in her roguish black eye.
His gold watch she took from his pocket
And pressed it right into my hand
And the very last words that I said to her
Was bad luck to your black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury,
Next day I was forced to appear;
And the judge he said to me, young man,
Your case is abundantly clear.
I'll give you ten years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land;
Far away from your friends and relations,
And the whench with the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.
So come all you gay young fellows,
A warning take from me,
Be sure and stay clear of those pretty young girls,
When ever you go on a spree.
For they'll fill you with strong drink, me boys,
Until you're not able to stand;
And then when you're trying to get rid of them
They'll land you in Van Damien's land.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied back with a black velvet band.