Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band (variations)

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from The Dubliners)
From: GUEST,Denise
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 11:41 PM

Hello 8o)

I am trying to get this song memorized, but I haven't got a hard copy of the lyrics to match the lyrics from the CD. All I have is the recording on the CD I recently bought, but the music is sung by people with heavy Irish accents (go fig, it was an Irish folk song CD hehehee) and while I have been able to decipher quite a bit of it, I cant find the version it is on the web so far, and was hoping for some help. The album is "Best of Irish Folk" the song is sung on disc two by "The Dubliners" what I have so far is this:

"In a neat little town they call Belfast,
Apprenticed to trade I was bound
And many's the hour of happiness,
I spent in that sweet little town.

'Till sad misfortune came over me,
That forced me to flee 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 walk with that pretty young girl,
When a gentleman chanced to pass by,
And I knew she intended the doing of him,
By the look in her roguish black eye.

His gold watch she took from his pocket,
And pressed it right into my hand,
And the very last words that I said to her,
Were "bad luck to your black velvet band!" (Considering the accent this line could also be heard as "I'd look to your black velvet band")

Before the judge and the jury,
Next day I was forced to appear,
And the judge he said to me "Young man,
Your case is abundantly clear,"

"I'll give ye ten years penal servitude,
To be spent far away from the land,
Far away from your friends and relations,
And the wench with the black velvet band!"

Chorus

So come all ye gay young fellows,
A warning take from me,
Be sure and stay clear of those pretty young girls,
Whenever you go on a (unknown word rhyming with "we"),
For they'll fill you with strong drink me boys,
Until you're not able to stand,
And then when ye try an' get rid of them,
They'll land you in Van Diemen's Land.

Chorus

So I have it mostly figured out for the version I have, but I am missing a few words or unsure of them, does anybody have the lyrics for this one? I have found a gazillion or so sets of lyrics for this tune, but none for this version, and not a one of them the same as the one before LOL. It almost seems like they condensed this version for the CD, because all the others I have found including the ones on this site seem much longer.

I posted this on another site and was told I may find what I need here, so any help would be appreciated! 8o)

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Clancy)
From: Amos
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 12:59 AM

Here's the Clancy lyrics -- I believe it is in the DT also --

BLACK VELVET BAND

In a neat little town they call Belfast
An apprentice boy I was bound
And many's the happy hour
I have spent in that neat little town
But bad misfortune o'ertook me
And caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations,
Betrayed by the black velvet band

Oh, one evening late as I rambled
Not meaning to go very far,
When I met with a gay young deceiver
She was plyin' her trade in a bar.
Oh, her eyes they shone like the diamonds
And I thought her the pride of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Oh, one evening a flashman, a watchman
She happened to meet on the sly
I could tell that her mind it was altered
By the roll of her roving dark eye
Oh, that watch she took from his pocket
She slipped it right into my hand
Then she gave me in charge to the policeman
Bad luck to the black velvet band

Now before the Lord Mayor I was taken
My guilt they proved quite plain
And he said if I was not mistaken
I should have to cross the salt main
Now its sixteen long years have they gave me
To plough upon Van Dieman's land
Far away from my friends and relations
A curse on the black velvet band

So come all ye jolly young fellows,
I'll have ye take warning from me
Whenever you're out on the liquor,
Beware of them pretty colleens.
They'll treat you to whiskey and porter,
Till you are not able to stand;
And the very next thing that you know, my lads,
You'll end up in Van Dieman's land.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Susan of DT
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 05:18 AM

This is DT #313 in the Digital Tradition, with 6 versions of black or blue velvet band. Two are missing from the list up top. You can search for #313 (includes 2 false positives with 313 without the # sign due to vagaries of the web version of the search). When you see a Child, Laws, Roud, or DT # on a song, you can search for that number to find its relatives.

---

Ooops! I wonder how we missed those two songs. I added them to the list.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: IanC
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 06:15 AM

Hi Denise

Most of the variants of BvB are on this thread (it's in the list above). This thread also has some useful contributions.

:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Snuffy
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 08:28 AM

whenever you go on a spree

Subject: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:22 AM

I needed somewhere to leave a variety of versions of BvB for another project (thread) and this looks like the ideal spot.

If anyone has them, I haven't got the version noted by Peter Kennedy from Paddy Doran, Tinker, Belfast 1952 or the version recorded by Seamus Ennis from Ben Baxter, Southrepps, Norfolk, 1955. Nor do I have the version recorded by Edith Fowke from George McCallum in Grafton, Ontario, March 1961.

Otherwise, here are most of the rest that have been recorded or noted from tradition, starting with a copy of the broadside version. (This is not including the New Zealand version or the Blue Velvet Band ... both fairly radical rewrites).

PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME OF THESE ARE ALREADY IN OTHER THREADS.
These versions are, however, correct and annotated as far as I'm able.

:-)
Ian

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (broadside)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:23 AM

A - Broadside printed by Swindells (Manchester) (between 1796 and 1853).

BLACK VELVET BAND
(tune "Tars of the Blanch")

To go in a smack, down at Barking, when a boy, as apprentice I was bound
And I spent many hours in comfort in that pleasant little town;
At length future prospects were blighted, as soon you may all understand,
So by my downfall take warning – beware of a black velvet band.

One day, being out on a ramble, alone by myself I did stray,
I met with a young gay deceiver, while cruising in Ratcliffe Highway;
Her eyes were as black as a raven, I thought her the pride of the land,
Her hair, that did hang o'er her shoulders, was tied with a black velvet band.

She towed me in port and we anchored, from virtue she did me decoy,
When it was proposed, and agreed to, that I should become a flash boy,
With drinking and gaming and plunder, to keep up the game was soon planned,
But since, I've had cause to remember the girl with a black velvet band.

Flash girls, if you wish to turn modest, and decent connexion to gain,
Do not wear a band o'er your forehead, as if to tie in your brain;
Some do prefer Victoria fashion, and some their hair braided go grand,
Myself, I do think it much better than a girl with a black velvet band.

Young men, by my fate take a warning, from all those gay ladies refrain,
And seek for a neat little woman that wears her hair parted quite plain;
The subject that now I do mention, though innocent, soon me trepaun'd,
But still I've a strong inclination for the girl with the black velvet band.

For she towed in a bold man-of-war's man, her ogle she winked on the sly,
But little did I know her meaning, when I twigged her a faking his cly;
He said, I'm bound for the ocean, and shortly the trip will be made,
But still I've a strong inclination for the girl with the black velvet band.

A snare was invented to slight and banish me out of her sight,
A fogle she brought of no value, saying, more I will bring this night;
She slipped it into my pocket, false girl! And took me by the hand,
They gave me in charge of the sneezer – bad luck to the black velvet band!

I quickly was nailed and committed, and cast in the jug for a lag,
For a wipe that she pinched and bunged to me, and valued no more than a fag;
The judge said to me, You are sentenced to a free passage to Van Diemen's Land,
Far, far away from relations so adieu the black velvet band.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Peter Kennedy)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:24 AM

B - Kennedy, Peter "Folksongs of Britain and Ireland
" (1975) page 695 (no. 313)
(Collected from Bill Cameron of St Mary's, Scilly Isles, 1956. Bill learned the song from Tommy Crocker, a fireman on board the "Lioness", a mail ship which ran from Penzance to Scilly, before World War I)

In Belfast's famous city,
An apprentice boy I was bound
And many's the happy hour
Have I spent in that neat little town.
Till my future prospects belated,
Which gave me to understand,
Then by me, young man, take a warning;
Beware of the black velvet band.

O, one evening as I rambled,
Not thinking of long for to stay,
Till I met with a gay young deceiver
Came a tripping across the pathway.
O her eyes they shone like diamonds
And I thought her pride of the land,
And her hair it hung down o'er her shoulders,
And tied in a black velvet band.

O one evening a flash-man a watchman,
She happened to meet on the sly;
I could tell that her mind it was altered
By the roll of her dark eye.
O that watch she took from his pocket,
She slipped it right into my hand
Then she gave me in charge to a policeman
Bad luck to the black velvet band.

Now before the Lord Mayor I was taken,
My "Guilty" they prov-ed quite plain,
And he said if I was not mistaken,
I should have to cross the salt main.
Now it's sixteen long years they have gave me
To plough on Van Diemens Land,
And it's far from my friends and relations;
My curse to the black velvet band.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Seeger & MacColl)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:25 AM

C - Seeger & MacColl, "The Singing Island" (1960) page 82 (No. 75) from the singing of Harry Cox, Catfield, Norfolk, 1953.

In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to trade I was bound
And many an hour's sweet happiness
Have I spent in that neat little town

(Occasional Chorus)
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land,
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band.

A bad 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.

I took a stroll down Broadway,
Meaning not long for to stay,
When who should I meet but a pretty fair maid
Come traipsing along the pathway.

She was both fair and handsome,
Her neck it was just like a swan,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid,
And a gentleman passing us by,
I knew she meant the doing of him
By the look in her roguish black eye.

His watch she took from his pocket
And placed it right into my hand
And the very first thing that I said was
Bad luck to the black velvet band.

Before the judge and the jury,
Next morning I had to appear;
The judge he says to me, young man,
Your case it 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 relations,
Betrayed by the black velvet band.

So come all you jolly young fellows,
A warning take by me,
When you are out on the town, me lads
Beware of the pretty colleens.

They'll treat you to strong drink, my lads,
Till you are unable to stand;
And the very first thing that you'll know is
You're landed in Van Damien's land.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Meredith/Anderson
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:26 AM

D - Meredith & Anderson, "Folksongs of Australia 1" (1967) pp.145-146
(also published in Anderson, "Colonial Ballads (1962)" p.12. Collected by Alec Hood (of the Bushwhackers Band) from Toby Willis, while staying with him in a boarding house in W. Australia.)

BLACK VELVET BAND

It was in the city of London,
In apprenticeship I was bound,
And many's the happy hour
I spent in that dear old town
One day as I was walking
Along my usual beat,
A pretty little young maiden
Came tripping along the street.

And her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the pride of the land.
The hair that hung down on her shoulder
Was tied with a black velvet band.

One day as we were walking
A gentleman passed us by;
I could see she was bent on some mischief
By the rolling of her dark blue eye
Gold watch she picked from his pocket
And slyly placed into my hand;
I was taken in charge by a copper …
Bad luck to that black velvet band.

Before the Lord Mayor I was taken,
'Your case, sir, I plainly can see,
And if I'm not greatly mistaken,
You're bound far over the sea'.
It's over the dark and blue ocean,
Far away to Van Diemen's Land,
Away from my friends and relations
And the girl with the black velvet band.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Meredith/Anderson
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:26 AM

E - Meredith & Anderson, "Folksongs of Australia" (1967) 1 pp.49-50
(Fragment from Mary Byrnes, Springside near Orange, New South Wales, 1954)

Oh, her eyes were like two shining diamonds,
And they called her the queen of our land,
And the hair that hung over her shoulders
Was tied with a black velvet band.

And before the judge I was taken,
And the jury said I was 'guiltee',
'You've been tried by your countrymen fairly,
You're a disgrace to your own native land.'

Subject: BvB ... F - Meredith & Anderson, "Folksongs of Aus
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:27 AM

F - Meredith & Anderson, "Folksongs of Australia 1" (1967) pp.192-193
(A fragment from Sally Sloane, Lithgow, New South Wales. It originated with Billy Page the Parkes goldminer)

The judge he passed sentence next morning,
And a free trip to Van Diemens Land –
Far away from my friends and relations,
And the girl with the black velvet band.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Cyril Poacher)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:28 AM

G - Cyril Poacher (Broomfield Wager, Topic 12TS252) taken from his singing in 1974. He learned it from Alf Moseley of Harwich in the 1950s.
I was born in the fair town of London,
A printer I once served my time;
Many happy hours have I spent there,
I spent there in fair London town.

And her eyes they shine like diamonds,
I thought her the pride of the land,
Her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

(Repeat Chorus)

One day as I was out walking,
A damsel passed me by the hand;
Her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

(Chorus)

I was taken before the Lord Justice,
He said "Your case is quite clear",
"If I'm not much mistaken,
You're doomed for seven long year.

The gold watch she took from my pocket,
She gently slipped into my hand;
I was given in charge to a bobby
Bad luck to the black velvet band

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK RIBBON BAND (from Hughes)
From: IanC
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:29 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 08:56 AM

Number 2145 in the Roud Folk Song Index. The majority of examples found in tradition are from England and Australia. Although Irish variants exist (Elizabeth Cronin had a set, beginning In the neat little town of Dunmanway), they seem mostly to be localised to Tralee; the famous example recorded by the Dubliners, since which the song has generally been supposed to be typically Irish, was learned by them from Ewan MacColl, who got it from Harry Cox. I think we discussed the song's possible movements in another thread not very long ago; it seems possible that a version localised to Belfast (and with "colleens" added for flavour) came back to Norfolk (there was a good bit of communication via the fishing trade when that was still going); though it appears that most of Harry's contemporaries in the area still sang the earlier "London" version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: mike the knife
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 10:22 AM

Alternate Verse:
"On her front she wore a large notice
advertising the price of her tail.
And on her behind, for the good of the blind,
was the same information in Braille"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 01:02 PM

Nice to have these together.
Are you looking for "Blue" as well as "Black"? Randolph has a good version of "Blue Velvet Band" from Missouri that should be posted.

? I could put it here, or in one of the more "blue" threads.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Hamish Imlach)
From: Hillheader
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 11:32 PM

Hamish Imlach did a version which went---

In neat little city called Glasgow
To Barrowland I was bound
It was there that I met Hairy Mary
Who flogged for half a crown

Her eyes they shone like diamonds
The Queen of the Barrowland
And chest it hund low over her shoulder
Held up by a big Navvies hand.

(The Barrowland was an (infamous) Glasgow Dance hall of the 50's/60's)

If my memory holds up, Hamish did it as the intro to Cod Liver Oil & Orange Juice.

Mike

The Corries also covered your version under the title Abigail

On the bosom of young Abigail
Was written the price of her tale
And on her behind, for the use of the blind
Was the same information in braille.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (David Wharnsby)
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 04:48 PM

I picked this version up from an indie cassette I got from a duet act (Heather Chappell & David Wharnsby) at the first year of a Celtic Festival in Goderich, Ontario, back in '92. I've been using it ever since, though people only rarely seem to get the joke. They are more interested in yelling out the "AND SHE WAS!" bit halfway through the choruses.

Black Velvet Band
(Lyrics by David Wharnsby)

In a neat little town they call Belfast
Upon my love-luck, I was down
But hopeful was I that there I'd find
A wife for me in that fair town

Then one day as I was out walking
I spied her in shade 'neath a tree
So peaceful and sweet and innocent
Here at last was a true love for me

(Chorus:)
Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds
You'd think she was queen of the land (AND SHE WAS!!!)
And around her dainty white silken throat
She'd fasten'd a Black Velvet Band

She was the most beautiful maiden
Upon whom my eyes ever would rest
And she said she would be my true lover
If I followed her only request

She said, "I love you and I trust you
So I hope that you will understand
You may have all of me but must never touch
My dec'rative Black Velvet Band"

(Chorus)

But her throat was as soft as a whisper
And as white as the new fallen snow
I simply had to chance kissing it
But first remove her velvet bow

I wondered and pondered for hours
Then to me the idea did creep
That my best chance would come to slip it off
When my lover was soundly asleep

(Chorus)

So, in the stillness and quiet of nighttime
I moved with an unsteady hand
Across to my young lover's pillow
To steal away her velvet band

Her diamond eyes opened quite startl'd
"You've not heeded what I have said!"
Then her head twisted off of her lovely neck
And it roll'd away right off the bed

(Chorus)

So, come all of ye jolly young fellows
I'd have ye take warning by me
Don't you be too blinded by beauty, boys
There may be more that you don't see

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: mack/misophist
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 05:48 PM

Now that you've been burried in possibilities, May I suggest that you alter it to suit yourself? Isn't that part of what folksongs are about?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 05:54 PM

"though people only rarely seem to get the joke"

Must be the delivery mate, cause down here, I sing it with the additional "On Top Of Old Smokey" stuff we wrote when we got really drunk that night, and with a much better last verse and it goes over like gang-busters!

hehehe

"So, come all of ye jolly young fellows
And remember these things I have said
Cause there are Bad ways, good ways and better ways
For a young man to get (pause) a little head"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 08:26 PM

Yeah, I dropped those additional verses because the song goes on long enough. It's a fine time-killer to round out the set as it is, but it gets awful boring to play after about the 200th time.

I like that last verse though. I may appropriate it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 10:25 PM

Now THAT'S the folk process!

:-)

Song too long? Maybe yer playing it too slow...

heh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: pavane
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 04:12 AM

I had understood that the earliest known version, printed in the 1820's and viewable in the Bodleian Ballad library, was set in BARKING, East London. Not Irish at all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: pavane
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 04:13 AM

Oops - yes it has, in this thread! Sorry, I missed it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: GUEST,fopah
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 10:34 PM

theres so many variations, does anybody know the variation done by the Irish Rovers? that i think is the best one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 05:45 AM

The version which I sing is set in the Wapping/Ratcliffe area of East London. It's fairly similiar to the Irish versions and uses the same tune for the first part of the verse and for the chorus. the second part of the verse uses a different tune, which to my mind makes the song much more interesting.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band (variations)
From: GUEST,JJ
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 03:56 AM

Great song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band (variations)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 05:44 AM

The late [ and still much lamented ] Hamish Imlach said he knew a version called ' The Black Velvet Gland ' but said he was never allowed to record it, or sing it in public.

Dave H