In a neat little town they call Brockton br Apprenticed in trade I was bound br And many an hour of sweet happiness br I spent in that neat little town br Then bad misfortune befell me br And caused me to stray from the land br Far away from my friends and companions br To follow the black velvet band br br As I was out strolling one evening br Not intending to stay very long br I met a frolicsome damsel br As she came tripping along br A watch she pulled out her pocket br And slipped it right into my hand br On the very first night that I met her br Bad luck to the black velvet band br br Chorus: br Her eyes, they shone like the diamond br You'd think she was queen of the land br And her hair hung over her shoulder br Tied up in a black velvet band br br Before judge and jury next morning br Both of us did appear br A gentleman claimed his jewelry br And the case against us was clear br Now seven long years transportation br Right down to Van Dieman's land br Far away from my friends and companions br To follow the black velvet band br br [Chorus] br br So come all you jolly young fellows br I'll have you take warning by me br Whenever you're out on the liquor br Beware of the pretty Colleen br She'll fill you with whiskey and porter br Untill you're not able to stand br And the very next thing you'd know br You've landed in Van Dieman's Land br br [Chorus]