[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shine like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.

[Verse]
In Tralee in the sweet county Kerry,
An apprentice to trade I was bound,
With plenty of light amusement,
For to see the day go round.

Till misfortune and ruin came o'er me.
Which caused me to stray from my land,
Far away from my friends and relations,
To follow the black ribbon band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shine like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.

[Verse]
As I went walking down Broadway,
Not intending to stay very long,
I met with a ticklesome damsel,
As she came tripping along.

A watch she pulled out of her pocket,
And slipped it right into my hand,
And the very first day that I met her,
Bad luck to her black ribbon band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shine like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.

Fore judge and jury next morning,
Both of us did appear,
And a gentleman claimed the jewellery,
And the case against us was clear.

For seven years transportation,
Right down to Van Diemen's land,
Far away from my friends and companions,
To follow the black ribbon band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shine like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.

[Verse]
Come all ye young Irish fellows,
A warning take by me,
Beware of those ticklesome damsels,
That are lurking around in Tralee.

They'll treat you to whiskey and porter,
Until you're not able to stand,
And before you have time for to leave them,
You'll end up on Van Diemen's land.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shine like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.