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(Trad) |
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Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprenticed to trade I was bound
Many an hours sweet happiness
Have I spent in that neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me
Which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll down Broadway
Meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
Comes a trapsing along the highway
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck it was just like a swans
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And a gentleman passing us by
Well 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 in to my hand
And the very first thing that I said was
Bad 'cess to the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before the judge and the jury
Next morning I had to appear
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 faraway from the land
Far away from your friends and companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band"
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
So come all you jolly young fellows
A warning take by me
When you are out on the town, me lads
Beware of them pretty colleens
For they feed you with strong drink, "more yeah"
'Til you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you know is
You've landed in Van Diemens Land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band |
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A tragic song about Van Dieman's Land named after the Dutchman who discovered it. Many people were transported there by the British often for petty crimes causing life-long misery for families and lovers. |
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