[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Verse]
In Tralee in the sweet country Kerry,
An apprentice to trade I was bound,
With plenty of bright amusement,
To see the town go around.

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

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Verse]
As I was a walking down Broadway,
Not meaning to stay very long,
When I met with a trickelsome damsel
And she came tripping along

And watch she took out of her pocket
And she slipped it right into my hand
And the very first thing that I said was,
"Bad luck to the black velvet band."

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Verse]
Before judge and jury next morning,
Both of us did appear,
And the gentleman claimed the jewellery,
And the case against us was clear.

For seven long years transportation,
Eight on to Van Diemen's land,
Far away from your friends and relations,
Betrayed by the black velvet band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Verse]
You was taken and tried and committed,
And sent out to Botany Bay,
And as the old judge he passed sentence,
But these strong words he did say.

"Some likes the Victorian fashion,
And some likes the cuddle so grand,
But for my part I'd much rather having,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Chorus]
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
And her hair, it hair hung over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black velvet band.