1. 'Twas in the town of Tralee Apprenticed to trade I was bound With plenty of bright amusement To see the days going round. 2. 'Til misfortune and trouble came over me Which caused me to stray from the land Far away from my friends and relations To follow the Black Velvet Band. Refrain: Her eyes they shone like diamonds You'd think her the Queen of the Land And her hair hung over her shoulder Tied up with a Black Velvet Band. 3. As I went walking down Broadway Not intending to stay very long I met with a frolicsome damsel As she came tripping along. 4. I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid And a gentleman passing us by I knew she meant a-doing for him By the look in her roguish black eye.

5. A watch she pulled out of his pocket And slipped it right into my hand On the very first day that I met her Bad luck to the Black Velvet Band! 6. Before the judge and the jury The both of us had to appear And a gentleman swore to the jewelry The case against us was clear. 7. For seven years transportation Right into Van Dieman's Land Far away from my friends and relations To follow the Black Velvet Band. 8. So all you brave young fellas, A warning take now from me Beware of the pretty young damsels Beware of the pretty coleens! 9. They'll treat you to whiskey and porter Until you're unable to stand And before you have time for to leave them You're banished to Van Dieman's Land!

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