Black Velvet Band – Lyrical Analysis

A traditional Irish folk song, “Black Velvet Band” was originally recorded in the 1950s and has since been covered many times.  Upon first look, Black Velvet Band appears to be about a party in Belfast, but it soon becomes apparent that the song has an ulterior message.

Black Velvet Band

“Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound
Many an hours sweet happiness, have I spent in that neat little town
A sad 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

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

I took a stroll down  Broadway , meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid comes a tripping along the highway
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swans
And her hair it hung over her shoulder, tied up with a black velvet band

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

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid, and a gentleman passing us by
Well I knew she meant the doing of him, by the look in her roguish black eye
A goldwatch she took from his pocket and placed it right in to my hand
And the very first thing that I said was bad luck to the black velvet band

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

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 faraway from the land
Far away from your friends and companions, betrayed by the black velvet band”

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

So come all you jolly young fellows a warning take by me
When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them pretty colleens
For they feed you with strong drink, “Oh yeah”, ’til you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you’ll know is you’ve landed in Van Diemens Land

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”

Northern Ireland

The first thing to be noted about this song is its location – the city of Belfast.  Belfast is the capital of modern day Northern Ireland, and the nature of the song means that it must be listened to with regards to the tensions between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Van Dieman’s Land

This song is illustrating the trial and subsequent exile of an Irishman to an Australian penal colony. This was a very common practice for the British in the 18th and 19th century. With limited lands that could be devoted to the housing of prisoners, the British created the penal system.  The song introduces “Van Dieman’s Land, the original name used by most Europeans for Tasmania, which was a common landing place for British penal ships.

This reference highlights the oppressive nature of Britain’s colonial rule. It was a common occurrence to be exiled to Australia for even the most petty of crimes. The British penal system still represents a sore subject for Irish citizens to this day.

 Similar to the other songs examined on this website, “The Black Velvet Band” contains an attractive melodic structure. However, once again it is the lyrics that make this song so popular among Irish music artists. The story these lyrics tell allow bands to use the song for their political purposes. However, that does not exclude the song from being used for purely commercial pursuits.

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