Black Velvet Band

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  In a neat little town they call Coleford,  
not intending to stay very long
Who should I meet but a pretty young girl 
as she came traipsing along
She was both fair & handsome 
& her neck it was just like a swan
& her hairy tongue over her shoulder 
tied up with a black velvet band

Her eyes they shone like diamonds 
I called her the Queen of the Land
& her hairy tongue over her shoulder 
Tied up with a black velvet band

I took a stroll with this pretty young maid -
a gentleman passing us by
Well I new she meant the ruin of him
from the look in her roguish black eye
A gold watch she took from his pocket
& placed it right into my hand
On the very first day that I met her -
bad luck to the black velvet band
Chorus

Before the Judge & the Jury
next morning we had to appear
The Judge he said to me “Young man, 
your case it is proven clear
We’ll give you ten years penal servitude
to be spent far away from the land
Far away from your friends & relations,
to follow the black velvet band
Chorus

So come all of you bold young fellows -
this warning take from me now
Beware of the frolicsome women
who are knocking about on the town
They’ll fill you full of strong drink, me boys,
till you are unable to stand
& the very next thing that you know is 
You’re heading for Van Diemen’s Land
Chorus

Traditional

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