In a neat little town they called Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And many of our sweet happiness
I'd spent in that neat little town
When a sad misfortune came over me
Which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations
Tied up by the black velvet band


Her eyes they shone like 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
Not Meaning for long to stay
When who should I meet but a pretty fair maid
Traipsing along the by-way
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck, it was just like a swan
And her hair, hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band


Her eyes they shone like 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
A gentleman passing us by
I knew she meant the doing of 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 said, was
Bad 'cess to the black velvet band


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


Before both judge and jury
Next morning, I was to appear
And the judge, he said to me young man,
you're case is proven and clear
We'll give you seven years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land
Far away from your friends and relations
Betrayed by the black velvet band


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