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19 Jun 03 - 11:41 PM (#969467) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from The Dubliners) From: GUEST,Denise 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,
'Till sad misfortune came over me,
Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
I took a walk with that pretty young girl,
His gold watch she took from his pocket,
Before the judge and the jury,
"I'll give ye ten years penal servitude, Chorus
So come all ye gay young fellows, 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) |
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20 Jun 03 - 12:59 AM (#969489) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Clancy) From: Amos 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. |
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20 Jun 03 - 05:18 AM (#969563) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Susan of DT 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. |
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20 Jun 03 - 06:15 AM (#969578) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: IanC 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. :-) |
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20 Jun 03 - 08:28 AM (#969625) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Snuffy whenever you go on a spree |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:22 AM (#1000687) Subject: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: IanC 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. Ian |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:23 AM (#1000688) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (broadside) From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:24 AM (#1000689) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Peter Kennedy) From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:25 AM (#1000690) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Seeger & MacColl) From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:26 AM (#1000691) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Meredith/Anderson From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:26 AM (#1000693) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Meredith/Anderson From: IanC 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.' |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:27 AM (#1000695) Subject: BvB ... F - Meredith & Anderson, "Folksongs of Aus From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:28 AM (#1000696) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Cyril Poacher) From: IanC 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 |
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12 Aug 03 - 04:29 AM (#1000697) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK RIBBON BAND (from Hughes) From: IanC 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 08:56 AM (#1000779) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Malcolm Douglas 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 10:22 AM (#1000825) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: mike the knife 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" |
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12 Aug 03 - 01:02 PM (#1000926) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: GUEST,Q 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. |
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12 Aug 03 - 11:32 PM (#1001173) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (from Hamish Imlach) From: Hillheader 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. |
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02 Sep 03 - 04:48 PM (#1011509) Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK VELVET BAND (David Wharnsby) From: Cluin 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
In a neat little town they call Belfast
Then one day as I was out walking
(Chorus:)
She was the most beautiful maiden
She said, "I love you and I trust you (Chorus)
But her throat was as soft as a whisper
I wondered and pondered for hours (Chorus)
So, in the stillness and quiet of nighttime
Her diamond eyes opened quite startl'd (Chorus)
So, come all of ye jolly young fellows (Chorus) |
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02 Sep 03 - 05:48 PM (#1011556) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: mack/misophist 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? |
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02 Sep 03 - 05:54 PM (#1011562) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Clinton Hammond "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" |
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02 Sep 03 - 08:26 PM (#1011678) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Cluin 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. |
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02 Sep 03 - 10:25 PM (#1011737) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Clinton Hammond Now THAT'S the folk process! :-) Song too long? Maybe yer playing it too slow... heh |
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03 Sep 03 - 04:13 AM (#1011844) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: pavane Oops - yes it has, in this thread! Sorry, I missed it |
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05 Oct 03 - 10:34 PM (#1030226) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: GUEST,fopah theres so many variations, does anybody know the variation done by the Irish Rovers? that i think is the best one. |
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06 Oct 03 - 05:45 AM (#1030338) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations) From: Dave Bryant 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. |
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25 Oct 13 - 03:56 AM (#3569852) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band (variations) From: GUEST,JJ Great song |
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25 Oct 13 - 05:44 AM (#3569890) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Velvet Band (variations) From: Dave Hanson 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 |
&id=06757.gif&seq=1&size=0>Black Velvet Band</a><br> <br> Has that broadside version been transcribed for the library?<br> <br> It refers to Ratcliffe Highway, a notorious street in London, from which our folk group in Dubai many years ago took its name. <P>
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