The Black Velvet Band

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"The Black Velvet Band" is a traditional Irish folk song concerning the waves of Irish people who were sent to places like Australia for their crimes. This song is about a tradesman who meets a young woman who has stolen an item and passed it on to him (the lyrics of the song vary from place to place). The man then appears in court the next day, charged with stealing the item and is sent to Australia for doing so.

[edit] Lyrics

The following is the traditional version of the song. The version by Dropkick Murphys on Blackout differs slightly.

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:

Then bad misfortune came o'er me:

That caused me to stray from the land:

Far away from my friends and relations:

To follow the black velvet band:

As I was out strolling one evening:

Not intending to stay very long:

I met a handsome young damsel:

As she came tripping along:

A gold watch she took from a pocket:

And slipped it right into my hand:

On the very first night that I met her:

Bad luck to 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:

Before judge and jury next morning:

The both of us had to appear:

A gentleman said 'twas his jewellery:

And the case against us was clear:

For seven long years transportation:

I was sent off to Van Diemen's Land:

Far away from my friends and relations:

To follow this black velvet band:

So come all you jolly young fellows:

I'll have you take warning by me:

Whenever you're out on the liquor me lads:

Beware of the pretty Colleen:

She'll fill you with whiskey and porter:

Until you're not able to stand:

And the very next thing you'd know, me lads:

You've landed in Van Diemen's Land.: