The Black Velvet Band

The Black Velvet Band - Ewan MacColl

In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprenticed to trade I was bound

An many an hours sweet happiness

Have I spent in that neat little town

A sad misfortune came over me

And caused me to stray from the land

Far away from friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

I took a stroll down Broadway

Meaning not long for to stay

When who should I see but this pretty fair maid

Come a trapsing along the highway

She was both fair and handsome

Her neck it was just like a swans

And 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 hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid

And a gentleman passing us by

I knew she meant the un-doing of him

By the look in her roguish black eye

This watch she took from his pocket

And slipped it right in to my hand

And the very first thing that I said was

Bad luck to the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

Before the judge and the jury

Next morning I had to appear

The judge he says to me

Young man your case it is proven clear

We'll give you seven years penal servitude

To be spent faraway from the land

Far away from your friends and companions

Betrayed by the black velvet band

So come all you jolly young fellows

A loving take warning by me

When you are out on the me lads

Beware of your pretty colleens

When feed you do strong drink may boys

'Til you are unable to stand

And before you have judge to leave a bill

I hure diamonds mengsly

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band