Key: G
Introduction:
G
Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast,
C D
apprentice to trade I was bound,
G
many an hour sweet happiness
A D G
have I spent in that neat little town.
A sad misfortune came over me,
C D
which caused me to stray from the land.
G
far away from my friends and relations,
A D G
betrayed by the black velvet band.
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,
A D G
tied up with a black velvet band.
G C D
I took a stroll down Broadway, meaning not long for to stay,
G
when who should I meet but this pretty fair maid,
A D G
come a traipsing along the high way.
She was both fair and handsome,
C D
her neck it was just like a swan's.
G
And her hair it hung over her shoulder,
A D G
tied up with a black velvet band.
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,
A D G
by the look in her roguish black eye.
A gold watch she took from his pocket,
C D
and placed it right into my hand,
A D G
'Bad cess to the black velvet band'.
G
Before the judge and the jury
C D
next morning I had to appear.
G
The judge he says to me, 'Young man,
A D G
your case it is proven clear.
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 companions,
A D G
betrayed by the black velvet band'.