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Black Velvet Band
by trad
As [D] I went walking down broadway,
not intending to stay very [A7] long...
I [D] met with a frolicksome [Bm] damsel
as [A7] she came a-tripping a-[D] long.
A watch she pulled out of her pocket,
and placed it right into my hand
On the very first day that I met her
bad luck to the black velvet band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was queen of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
‘Twas in the town of Tralee,
an apprentice to trade I was bound.
With a plenty of bright amusement
to see the days go round.
Till misfortune and trouble came over me
which caused me to stray from my land,
far away from friends and relations
to follow the Black Velvet Band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was quenn of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury,
the both of us had to appear.
And the gentleman swore to the jewelry
the case against us was clear.
For seven years transportation
right unto Van Dieman’s land,
far away from my friends and relations
to follow the Black Velvet Band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was queen of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders
tied up with a black velvet band.
Oh, all you brave young Irish lads
a warning take by me:
Beware of the pretty young damsels
that are tripping around in Tralee.
They’ll treat you to whiskey and porter
until you’re unable to stand
and before you have time for to leave them
you are unto Van Dieman’s Land!
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds
you’d think she was quenn of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders
tied up with a black velvet band.
not intending to stay very [A7] long...
I [D] met with a frolicksome [Bm] damsel
as [A7] she came a-tripping a-[D] long.
A watch she pulled out of her pocket,
and placed it right into my hand
On the very first day that I met her
bad luck to the black velvet band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was queen of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
‘Twas in the town of Tralee,
an apprentice to trade I was bound.
With a plenty of bright amusement
to see the days go round.
Till misfortune and trouble came over me
which caused me to stray from my land,
far away from friends and relations
to follow the Black Velvet Band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was quenn of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury,
the both of us had to appear.
And the gentleman swore to the jewelry
the case against us was clear.
For seven years transportation
right unto Van Dieman’s land,
far away from my friends and relations
to follow the Black Velvet Band.
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds,
you’d think she was queen of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders
tied up with a black velvet band.
Oh, all you brave young Irish lads
a warning take by me:
Beware of the pretty young damsels
that are tripping around in Tralee.
They’ll treat you to whiskey and porter
until you’re unable to stand
and before you have time for to leave them
you are unto Van Dieman’s Land!
Chorus
Her eyes they shine like the diamonds
you’d think she was quenn of the land,
with her hair hung over her shoulders
tied up with a black velvet band.