H - Hughes "Irish Country Songs" Volume 4 (1936) pages 52-55
(versions in Volume 4 were collected from singers in West Kerry)

Black Ribbon Band

It was in the town of Tralee,
An apprentice to trade I was bound,
With a plenty of bright amusement
For to see the days go round.
Till misfortune and ruin came over me,
Which caused me to stray from my land
Far away from my friends and companions
To follow her black ribbon band.

Oh her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You would think she was queen of the land,
With her hair thrown over her shoulders,
Tied up with a black ribbon band.

As I went down the Broadway,
Not intending to stay very long,
I met with a ticklesome damsel
A she came tripping along.
A watch she pulled out of her pocket
And slipped it right into my hand,
And the very first day that I met her;
Bad luck to her black ribbon band.

Before judge and jury next morning,
W both of us did appear
And a gentleman swore to the jury
And the case against us was clear.
For seven years transportation
Right into Van Diemens Land
Far away from my friends and relations
To follow her black ribbon band.

All you Irish lads
A warning take by me,
Beware of those ticklesome cailins
That are knocking around in Tralee.
They'll treat you to whisky and porter
Until you're not able to stand
And before you have time for to leave them,
You are into Van Diemens Land.