In a neat little town they called Belfast, Apprentice to trade I was bound, And as many as the hour-sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town. Till a sad misfortune came over me, Which caused me to stray from my land, Far away from my friend and relation, Betrayed by the black velvet band. Her eyes they shone like diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land, And her hair it hung over her shoulder, Tied up with a black velvet band. I took a walk down Broadway, Meaning not long for to stay, When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid, Comin' traipsin' along the highway. She was but fair and handsome, Her neck it was just like a swan, And her hair it 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 it hung over her shoulder, Tied up with a black velvet band. I took a walk with this pretty fair maid, Then a gentleman passin' us by, Well I know that she meant the ruin of him, By the look in her wrongish black eye. And gone was she took from his pocket, And placed it right into me hand. And the very next thing that I said was, That says to the black velvet band. Her eyes they shone like diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land, And her hair it hung over her shoulder, Tied up with a black velvet band. Before the judge and the jury, Next mornin' I had to appear. And the judge he says to me, young man, Your case it is proven quite clear, I'll get seven years penal servitude, To be spent off in bandiement land. Far away from your friends and relation, Betrayed by the black velvet band. Her eyes they shone like diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land, And her hair it 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 it hung over her shoulder, Tied up with a black velvet band.