In a neat little town they call Belfast,
Apprenticed to trade I was bound,
With gaeity and bright amusement,
To see all the days go around,
Till a strange misfortune came over me,
Which caused me to stray from the land,
Far away from my friends and relations,
Betrayed by the Black Velvet Band.


As I went walking down Broadway,
Not meaning to stay very long,
Who should I see, but a fine colleen,
As she came a-traipsing along.
A watch she pulled out of her pocket,
And slipped it right into my hand,
On the very first day that I met her,
Bad luck to the black velvet band.


Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You? think her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.


Before the judge and the jury,
The next morning we both did appear,
And the gentlemen swore to the jury,
The case was proven quite clear,
For seven years transportation,
Down to the Van Dieman? Land,
Far away from my friends and relations,
To follow the Black Velvet Band.


Oh all you brave young fellows,
A warning now take you from me,
Beware of the pretty young damsels,
You might meet around in Tralee.
They?l treat you to whiskey and porter,
Until you?e unable to stand,
And before you have time to leave them,
You?l be sent down to Van Diemans Land.