Black Velvet Band - The Sign Posters

In a neat little town they call Belfast

Apprentice to a trade I was bound

And many’s an hour’s sweet happiness

Have I spent in this neat little town

A sad misfortune came over me

Which caused me to stray from the land

Far away from my friends and relations

Betrayed by the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

I took a stroll down Broadway

Meaning not long for to stay

When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid

Came a traipsing along the highway

She was both fair and handsome

Her neck it was just like a swans'

And her hair is hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid

And the gentleman passing us by

Well I knew she meant the doing of him

By the look in her roguish black eye

A gold watch she took from his pocket

And placed it right into my hand

And the very first thing I said was

Bad 'cess to the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band

Before the judge and the jury

Next morning I had to appear

And the judge he said to me «Young man

Your case is proven clear»

We’ll give you seven years penal servitude

To be spent far away from the land

Far away from your friends and companions

Betrayed by the black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

I thought her the queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulders

Tied up with a black velvet band