Chorus:

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

You'd think she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

In a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound

And many an hour's sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town

When bad misfortune came o'er me, and caused me to stray from the land

Far away from me friends and relations for to follow the black velvet band

Well I went a strollin' one evening, not meaning to go very far

When I met a ficklesome damsel who was selling her trade in the bar

When a watch she stole from a customer, and slipped it right into my hand

Then the law came and put me in prison, bad luck to her black velvet band

Next morning, before judge and jury, for trial I had to appear

Then the judge he says "Young fellow, me lad, the case against you is quite clear

For seven long years you are sentenced, you're banished to Van Diemen's Land

Far away from your friends and relations, for to follow your black velvet band"

So come all ye jolly young fellows, I'll have ya take a warnin' from me

Whenever you're out on the liquor, me lads, beware of the pretty colleens

For they'll fill you with whisky and porter til you are not able to stand

And the very next thing that you know, me lads, you'll wind up in Prince Edward Island!