Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Lighter
Date: 14 Feb 24 - 08:55 AM

The bit about the "house of ill fame" is remarkable.

It sounds more like a survival than an addition.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 01:15 PM

Hello again-
Joe, I'm not sure how to post the tune transcription here. please advise

I plan to include this version in my second volume of Bygone Ballads which will feature the Irish tradition in Maine. Not finding much in the way of origins. Fred Brackett from Staceyville ME sang this on 05-10-1942 for Marguerite Olney/ Helen Flanders collection The original recording can be heard at https://archive.org/details/HHFBC_tapes_D26B

Any info about earlier version would be welcome. I did find a reference to a 1796 broadside but nothing specific

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My easy ways have been failing me, but I can figure something out. I suppose an MP3 file is best. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: meself
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 09:21 PM

Btw, don't know about you, but I have yet to experience the misfortune of having pretty colleens fill me up with strong drink, me boys, till I am unable to stand ....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 04:17 AM

Likewise, meself. One thing I've yet to see answered: The protagonist was framed as a pickpocket by the colleen and the watch's owner, but what profit was in that for them?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: meself
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 03:26 PM

Well, that tedious older version given earlier in the thread provides something of a rationale: our hero becomes her 'flashboy' (pimp, as I take it), then she takes up with another guy, and they scheme to get him out of the picture.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Lighter
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 03:33 PM

Pickpockets typically pass their swag immediately to an accomplice,   who's supposed to make a quick exit. If confronted by the victim, the actual pickpocket looks to be innocent.

In the song, the singer is made an unwilling accomplice. Next stop, Van Dieman's Land.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 04:07 PM

That sounds like an inversion of what we have here, Lighter: it's the (apparent) original owner and the pickpocket who appear in cahoots. The only way I can rationalise it is if there was a standing reward per head for turning in pickpockets.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 05:28 PM

Various recordings,   including variations, of Black Velvet Band on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Black+Velvet+Band+(Roud+2146