Only trouble is that most "Irish" bands sing it as if it were a happy song. It is not. It is a very sad story. Unfortunately, the lyrics were put to a tune that just begs to be jolly. Here's a parody chorus I concocted

her eyes were red as the sunset,
You'd think she was queen of a zoo
And her feet hung off of her ankles
encased in a black leather shoe.

I sing "The black velvet band" which is a fine song, every now and then. If I think that the audience (who always sing the chorus) are not paying attention to the story, which usually happens, I hit them with the above parody,and, then shake my head.