To apprenticeship I was bound
I've spent in that wonderful town
One day as I went strolling down
A pretty little young maiden
I happened by mere chance to meet
Her eyes, shone like diamonds,
They called her the pride of the land.
The hair that hung down to her shoulders
Was tied with a black velvet band.
One day as we were walking
I could see she was up to some mischief
By the look in her lovely dark eye
She took a gold watch from his pocket
Quickly placed into my hand
Then I was charged by a copper
Bad luck from that black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
They called her the pride of the land
The hair that hung down to her shoulders
Was tied with a black velvet band
Before the Lord Mayor I was taken
And these words he said unto me
Unless I'm so greatly mistaken
You're bound far away o 'er the sea
It's over the dark blue ocean
Then to old Van Diemen's land
I was sent from my friends and relations
And a girl with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
They called her the pride of the land
The hair that hung down to her shoulders
was tied with a black velvet band.