In a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound
And many of an hour sweet happiness, I've spent in that neat little town
'till bad misfortune came over me, that 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 diamonds
I think she was queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Well, I went out strolling one evening, not intending to go very far
When I met with this girl called Jamanima
She was selling her trade in the bar.
I watched, she took from a customer
And slipped it right into my hand
Then the law they came and arrested me
Bad luck to her black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
You think she was queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Next morning before judge and jury
For a trial I had to appear
And the judge, he said, "You young fellows...
The case against you is quite clear
And seven long 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
Whenever you're out on the liquor, me lads,
Beware of the pretty colleen.
She'll fill you with whiskey and porter
Until you're not able to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know, me lads,
You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.
And many of an hour sweet happiness, I've spent in that neat little town
'till bad misfortune came over me, that 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 diamonds
I think she was queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Well, I went out strolling one evening, not intending to go very far
When I met with this girl called Jamanima
She was selling her trade in the bar.
I watched, she took from a customer
And slipped it right into my hand
Then the law they came and arrested me
Bad luck to her black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
You think she was queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Next morning before judge and jury
For a trial I had to appear
And the judge, he said, "You young fellows...
The case against you is quite clear
And seven long 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
Whenever you're out on the liquor, me lads,
Beware of the pretty colleen.
She'll fill you with whiskey and porter
Until you're not able to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know, me lads,
You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.