In a neat little town they call Brockton Apprenticed to trade I was bound And many an hour of sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town Then bad misfortune befell me That caused me to stray from the land Far away from my friends and companions To follow the black velvet band As I was strolling one evening Not intending to stay very long I met with a poor little damsel As she came trippin along Once she pulled out of parking And slipped it right into my hand The very first night that I met her Bad luck to the black velvet band 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 in a black velvet band Before judge and jury next morning Both of us did appear A gentleman claimed his jury And the case against us was clear Now seven long years transportation Right down to Van Dieman's land Far away from my friends and companions To follow the black velvet band 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 in a black velvet band So come all you jolly young fellows I'll have you take warning by me Whenever you're out on the liquor Beware of the pretty colleen She'll fill you with whiskey and polar Until you're not able to stand And the very next thing that you know You've landed in Van Diemen's land 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 in a black velvet band BLACK VELVET BAND!