I’m back after the longest break from making these videos that I have ever taken. I have never been so busy in my entire life. It was fun having some projects to work on, but I’m glad that everything has slowed down enough for me to get back to my first love.

The song is a request and as always, I am happy to oblige.

Have fun with Black Velvet Band and remember that the frailing banjo strum is “strike, bush-thumb, brush-thumb.”

Black Velvet Band MP3

Black Velvet Band (PDF)

BLACK VELVET BAND

In a [G]neat little [C]town they call [G]Belfast, apprenticed to [C]trade I was [D7]bound,

And [G]many an hour’s sweet [Em]happiness, have I [C]spent in that [D7]neat little [G]town.

A sad [C]misfortune came [G]over me, which caused me to [C]stray from the [D7]land,

Far [G]away from me friends and [Em]relations, [C]betrayed by the [D7]black velvet [G]band.

Her eyes they [C]shone like [G]diamonds, you’d think she was [C]queen of the [D7]land,

And her [G]hair hung over her [Em]shoulders, tied [C]up with a [D7]black velvet [G]band.

As I went strolling down Broadway not meaning to go very far
When I met with a fickle some damsel she was selling her trades at the bar
When a watch she took from her pocket and placed it right into my hand
And the law came in put me in prison, bad luck to her black velvet band.

Chorus

Next morning before judge and the jury, for trial I had to appear
The judge he says “Young fellow the case against you is quite clear.
And seven long years is your sentence, you’re going to Van Damien’s land
Far away from your friends and relations, Betrayed by the black velvet band.”

Chorus

So come all you jolly young fellows, a warning take by me,
When you are out on the liquor, me lads, beware of the pretty colleens.
They’ll feed you with strong drink, me lads,’till you are unable to stand,
And the very first thing that you know me lads, you’ve landed in Van Diemen’s Land.