In a neat little town they called Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound,
And many an hour sweet happiness
I spent in that neat little town.
But suddently misfortune befel me
That caused me to stray from the land
Far away from me friends and relations
All beacuse of that black velvet band.
(chorus)
And her eyes they shown like the diamonds
You’d think she was queen of the land
And her hair fell over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
And I went out strollin’ on evening
Not meanin to go very far
When I young damsel deciever
she was plying her trade in a bar
And I watched as she reached in the pocket
Of a man who had too much to drink
And she pulled from his pocket a fine gold watch
When she saw me she gave me a wink
(chorus)
Jam (violin)
When the man later found his watch missing
He called for the law of the land
But that lass just before she had fled the bar
She stuck that gold watch in me hand.
Well the next thing you know I’m in prison
Me prospects don’t look very grand
I spend me days just wishin that I’d never seen
That girl with the black velvet band
(chorus)
Jam (violin)
So come all ye jolly young fellows
and kindly take a warnin’ by me
For whenever your out there in Belfast Town
Beware of that pretty Colleen
For she’ll fill you with Guinness and whiskey
Until you’re not able to stand
And the very next thing that you’ll know my lad
You’ll be cursing that black velvet band
(chorus)