In a neat little town 
they call Belfast 
An apprentice boy I was bound 
And many's the happy hour 
I have spent in that 
neat little town 
But bad misfortune 
o'ertook me 
And caused me to stray 
from the land 
Far away from my 
friends and relations, 
Betrayed by the 
black velvet band

Oh, one evening 
late as I rambled 
Not meaning to go very far, 
When I met with a 
gay young deceiver 
She was plyin' her trade 
in a bar. 
Oh, her eyes they shone 
like the diamonds 
And I thought her 
the pride of the land 
And her hair hung 
over her shoulders 
Tied up with 
a black velvet band.

Oh, one evening 
a flashman, a watchman 
She happened to meet 
on the sly 
I could tell that 
her mind it was altered 
By the roll of her 
roving dark eye 
Oh, that watch she took 
from his pocket 
She slipped it right 
into my hand 
Then she gave me in 
charge to the policeman 
Bad luck to 
the black velvet band

Now before the Lord Mayor 
I was taken 
My guilt they proved 
quite plain 
And he said if 
I was not mistaken 
I should have to 
cross the salt main 
Now its sixteen long years 
have they gave me 
To plough upon 
Van Dieman's land 
Far away from my 
friends and relations 
A curse on 
the black velvet band

So come all ye 
jolly young fellows, 
I'll have ye 
take warning from me 
Whenever you're out 
on the liquor, 
Beware of them 
pretty colleens. 
They'll treat you 
to whiskey and porter, 
Till you are not 
able to stand; 
And the very next thing 
that you know, my lads, 
You'll end up in 
Van Dieman's land.