Henrik Norbeck's Song Lyrics

Black Velvet Band

Sheet Music (and more information about this song)

In the neat little town they call Belfast
apprenticed to trade I was bound,
and many's the hour of sweet happiness
have I spent in that neat little town.

'Til a sad misfortune came over me,
which caused me to stray from the land.
Far away from my friends and companions
betrayed by the black velvet band.

Chorus:
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land.
And her hair it hair hung over her shoulder
tied up with a black velvet band.

I took a stroll down Broadway
Not intending to stay very long,
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
as she came a-prancing along.

She was both 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

Chorus

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
and a gentleman passing us by,
I knew she meant the doing of him
by the look in her roguish black eye.

A gold watch she took from his pocket
And placed it right into my hand
And the very next thing that I said was
"What's this?" to the black velvet band.

Chorus

Before the Judge and the Jury
next morning I had to appear
And the judge he says to me
"Young man, your case it is proven clear."

"I'll give you seven years penal servitude
To be spent far away from the land.
Far away from your friends and companions."
Betrayed by the black velvet band.

Chorus

So come all you jolly young fellows
A warning take by me
when you are out on the town, my lads,
beware of the pretty colleens.

They'll feed you to strong drink, my lads,
'til you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know is
You've landed in Van Diemen's Land.

Chorus

Discography: The Dubliners
The High Kings

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