Black Velvet Band (Molly Maguire)

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 In a neat little town they call Belfast Apprenticed in trade I was bound And a many an hour of sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town 'til bad misfortune befell me And caused me to stray from the land Far away from my friends and relations, To follow 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 Oh, I was out strolling on Broadway Meaning not long for to stay, When I met with a pretty fair maiden Come troppsing along the highway. A gold watch she stole from a gentleman And put it right into my hand Then the watch came and put me in prison Bad luck 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 Next morning before judge and jury For up trial I had to appear And the judge he said: Young fellow The case against you is quite clear" And seven long years is your sentence You're going to Van Dieman's land Far away from your friends and relations To follow that 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 ye jolly young fellows, A warning take by me That whenever you're out on the liquor, Beware of them pretty colleens. They'll fool you with whiskey and porter, Until you're not able to stand And the very next thing that you know, my lads, You've landed in Van Dieman's land.