Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

​

In a neat little town they call Belfast,
apprentice to trade I was bound
and many an hour's sweet happiness,

I spent in that neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me,

which caused me to stray from the land

far away from me friends and relations,

betrayed by the black velvet band

​

Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

​

Well, I went out strolling one evening,

not meaning to go very far.

When I met with a ficklesome damsel,

she was selling her trade in the bar

When a watch she took from a customer,

and slipped it right into me hand..

And the law came and put me in prison,

bad luck to her black velvet band

​

Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

​

Next mornin' before judge and jury,

for a trial, I had to appear.

And the judge he says, 'Me young fellow,

the case against you is quite clear
And seven long years is your sentence,

you're going to Van Daemons Land
Far away from your friends and relations

and follow the black velvet band

​

Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

​

So, come ye jolly young fellows,
well I'll have ya’s take warnin' from me
And whenever you're into the liquor,

me boys, beware of the pretty Colleens
For they'll fill you with whiskey and porter,

until you’re unable to stand.

And the very next thing that you know,

me lads, you've landed in

Van Daemon's Land.

​

Her eyes they shone like the diamonds

You’d think she was queen of the land

And her hair it hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band