| In a neat little town they called Belfast
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| Apprentice to trade I was bound
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| And many an hour sweet happiness
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| Have I spent in that neat little town
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| As sad misfortune came over me Which caused me to stray from the land
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| Far away from me friends and relations
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| Betrayed by the black velvet band
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| Her eyes they shown like diamonds
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| I thought her the queen of the land
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| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band
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| I took a stroll down broadway
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| Meaning not long for to stay
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| When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid
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| Come a-traipsing along the highway
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| She was both fair and handsome
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| Her neck, it was just like a swan
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| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band
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| Her eyes they shown like diamonds
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| I thought her the queen of the land
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| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band
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| I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
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| And a gentleman passing us by Well, I knew she meant the doing of him
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| By the look in her roguish black eye
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| A gold watch she took from his pocket
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| And placed it right into my hand
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| And the very first thing that I said, was
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| Bad 'cess to the black velvet band
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| Her eyes they shown like diamonds
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| I thought her the queen of the land
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| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band
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| Before the judge and the jury
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| Next morning, I had to appear
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| The judge, he says to me:
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| «Young man, you’re case it is proven clear
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| We’ll give you seven years penal servitude
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| To be spent far away from the land
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| Far away from your friends and relations
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| Betrayed by the black velvet band»
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| Her eyes they shown like diamonds
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| I thought her the queen of the land
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| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band
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| So come all you jolly young fellows
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| A warning take by me When you are out on the town, me lads
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| Beware of the pretty colleens
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| They’ll feed you with strong drink, me lads
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| 'Till you are unable to stand
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| And the very first thing that you’ll know is You’ve landed in Van Diemens Land
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| Her eyes they shown like diamonds
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| Her neck, it was just like a swan
|
| And her hair, it hung over her shoulder
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| Tied up with a black velvet band |