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THE BLACK VELVET BAND
    In a neat little town they call Belfast
    Apprenticed in trade I was bound
    And many an hour of sweet happiness
    I spent in that neat little town
    Till bad misfortune befell me
    And caused me to stray from the land
    Far away from my friends and relations
    To follow the black velvet band

    Chorus:
      Her eyes they shone like the diamond
      You'd think she was queen of the land
      And her hair hung over her shoulder
      Tied up in a black velvet band

    Well, I was out strolling one evening
    Not meaning to go very far
    When I met with a pretty young damsel
    She was selling her trade in a bar
    When I watched, she took from a customer
    And slipped it right into my hand
    Then the Watch came and put me in prison
    Bad luck to the black velvet band

    Next morning before judge and jury
    For our trial I had to appear
    The judge, he said, "Young fellow
    The case against you is quite clear
    And seven 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
    And whenever you're out on the liquor
    Beware of the pretty colleen
    They'll fill your with whiskey and porter
    Until You're not able to stand
    And the very next thing that you know
    You're landed in Van Dieman's Land

    @outlaw @drink @Irish @Australia
    recorded by the Irish Rovers