Galway Bay

THE BLACK VELVET BAND In a neat little town they call Belfast And apprentice to trade I was found And many’s the long day of happiness I spent in that dear little town Till a sudden misfortune came over me Which caused me to stray from the land Far away from my friends and relations To follow the black velvet band Her eyes they shone like diamonds I thought she was queen of the land With her hair flung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band As I was walking down Broadway Not intending to stay very long I met with a frolicsome damsel As she came tripping along A watch she took out of her pocket And slipped it right into my hand And on the very first day that I met her Bad luck to her black velvet band Her eyes they shone like diamonds I thought she was queen of the land With her hair flung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band Before judge and jury next morning The both of us did appear A gentleman claimed his jewellery And the case against us was clear Seven long years transportation To be spent down in Van Diemen’s land Far away from my friends and relations Because of the black velvet band Her eyes they shone like diamonds I thought she was queen of the land With her hair flung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band