In a neat little town they call boston
apprenticed to trade i was bound
and many an hour's sweet happiness
i spent in that neat little town
then bad misfortune befell me
that caused me to stray from the land
far away from my friends and companions
to follow the black velvet band
As i was out strolling one evening
not intending to stay very long
when i met with a pretty young damsel
as she came to rip it along
a watch she took out her pocket
and slipped it right into my hand
on the very first night that i met her
bad luck to the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
you'd think she was queen of the land
and her hair hung over her shoulder
tied up with a black velvet band
Before judge and jury next morning
both of us did appear
a gentleman claimed his jury
and the case against us was clear
now seven long years transportation
right down to van dieman's land
far away from my friends and companions
to follow the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
you'd think she was 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
i'd have you take warning by me
whenever you're out on the liquor
beware of the pretty colleen
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
you'd think she was queen of the land
and her hair hung over her shoulder
tied up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
you'd think she was queen of the land
and her hair hung over her shoulder
tied up with a black velvet band
Black velvet band!