In a neat little town they call Belfast apprenticed to trade I was bound
Many an hour of sweet happiness have I spent in that neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me, which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations me betrayed by the Black Velvet Band
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder, tied up with a Black Velvet Band
I took a stroll down Broadway, meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid, come a-trampsing along the highway
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swan
And her hair it hung over her shoulder, tied up with the Black Velvet Band
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder, tied up with a Black Velvet Band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid, and a gentleman passing us by
I knew what she meant to do with him, by the look in her roguish black eye
A gold watch she took from his pocket, and placed it right into my hand
And the very next thing that I knew was, I?d landed in Van Daemon?s Land
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds, I thought 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, next morning I had to appear
And the judge he says to me "young man, your case it has proven clear"
We?ll give seven years penal servitude, to be spent far away from the land
Far away from your friends and companions betrayed by the Black Velvet Band
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder, tied up with a Black Velvet Band
So come all you jolly young fellows, a warning take by me
When you are out on the town, me boys, beware of the pretty colleen
For they'll feed you with strong drink, mar yeah!, till you unable to stand
And the very next thing that you know is, you've landed in Van Daemon's Land
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder, tied up with a Black Velvet Band