Her eyes they shone like the diamonds   You'd think she was queen of the land   And her hair hung over her shoulder   Tied up with a black velvet band.   In a neat little town they call Belfast   Apprenticed to trade I was bound   And many an hour's sweet happiness   I spent in that neat little town.   Till 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.      Well, I was out strolling one evening   Not meaning to go very far   When I met with a pretty young damsel   Who was selling her trade in the bar.   When I watched, she took from a customer   And slipped it right into my hand   Then the Watch came and put me in prison   Bad luck to the black velvet band.      Next morning before judge and jury   For a trial I had to appear   And the judge, he said, "You young fellows...   The case against you is quite clear   And seven long years is your sentence   You're going to Van Dieman's Land   Far away from your friends and relations   To follow the black velvet band."      So come all you jolly young fellows   I'd 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 that you'll know, me lads,   You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.