Share the Black Velvet Band Chords and Strumming:
Did You Know? Black Velvet Band is at least as old as 1853 as it was published then as a Ballad by could be older. It's traditionally sung in many countries including Ireland, England, Australia, Canada and the US and often the location of the songs changes between Belfast Ireland and London UK.
The Dubliners based their version on the one sung by Harry Cox in 1955, they recorded theirs in 1967.
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Difficulty Level Of Original Recorded Song: Orange Pick
Most Advanced Rhythm: White Pick
Most Advanced Chord Change: Orange Pick (White Pick when played with Django chords only)
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White Pick Level
Black Velvet Band Chords And Strumming, The Dubliners
Django Chords:
Django C chord
Django G chord
Django D chord
Django A chord
Strumming:
"Waltz Steps": |D D U D U |
"1 Strum": |D |
Tempo: 166 bpm Key: G
Intro -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
Verse 1 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
In a (Gx4)neat little town they call Belfast
A(G)pprentice to a (C)trade I was (Dx2)bound
And (Gx2)many's an hour's sweet (Emx2)happiness
Have I (A)spent in this (D)neat little (Gx2)town
A (Gx2)sad misfortune came (C)over (G)me
Which (G)caused me to (C)stray from the (Dx2)land
Far (Gx2)away from my friends and (Emx2)relations
Be(A)trayed by the (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (Dx2)land
And her (Gx2)hair it hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 2 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
I (Gx4)took a stroll down Broadway
(G)Meaning not (C)long for to (Dx2)stay
When (Gx2)who should I meet but this (Emx2)pretty fair maid
Came a (A)traipsing a(D)long the high(Gx2)way
She (Gx2)was both fair and (C)handsome (G)
Her (G)neck it was (C)just like a (Dx2)swans'
And her (Gx2)hair is hung over her (Emx2)shoulder
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (Dx2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 3 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
I (Gx4)took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And the (G)gentleman (C)passing us (Dx2)by
Well I (Gx2)knew she meant the un(Emx2)doing of him
By the (A)look in her (D)roguish black (Gx2)eye
A (Gx2)gold watch she took from his (C)pocket (G)
And (G)placed it right (C)into my (D)hand
And the (Gx2)very first thing I (Emx2)said was
Bad (A)'cess to the (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (Dx2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 4 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C (1strum)|Rest|
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Be(Gx4)fore the judge and the jury
Next (G)morning I (C)had to a(Dx2)ppear
And the (Gx2)judge he said to (Emx2)me 'Young man
Your (A)case is (D)proven (Gx2)clear'
We'll (Gx2)give you seven years penal (C)servitude
To be (G)spent far a(C)way from the (Dx2)land
Far a(Gx2)way from your friends and com(Emx2)panions
Be(A)trayed by the (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (Dx2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 5 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
So (Gx4)come all you jolly young fellows
a (G)warning (C)take by (Dx2)me
when (Gx2)you are out on the (Emx2)town me lads
be(A)ware of the (D)pretty coll(Gx2)eens
They'll (Gx2)feed you with strong (C)drink me (G)lads
'Til (G)you are un(C)able to (Dx2)stand
And the (Gx2)very next thing you (Emx2)know me lads, you've
(A)landed in (D)Van Diemen's (Gx2)Land
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D - - |D - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|A - - |D - - |G - D |G
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (Dx2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (A)up with a (D)black velvet (G)band (D) (G)
Final Chord Strum: G
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Orange Pick Level
Black Velvet Band Chords And Strumming, The Dubliners
Open Chords:
Open C chord
Open G chord
Open D7 chord
Open Am chord
Strumming:
"Waltz Steps": |D D U D U |
"1 Strum": |D |
Tempo: 166 bpm Key: G
Intro -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
Verse 1 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
In a (Gx4)neat little town they call Belfast
A(G)pprentice to a (C)trade I was (D7x2)bound
And (Gx2)many's an hour's sweet (Emx2)happiness
Have I (Am)spent in this (D7)neat little (Gx2)town
A (Gx2)sad misfortune came (C)over (G)me
Which (G)caused me to (C)stray from the (D7x2)land
Far (Gx2)away from my friends and (Emx2)relations
Be(Am)trayed by the (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (D7x2)land
And her (Gx2)hair it hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 2 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
I (Gx4)took a stroll down Broadway
(G)Meaning not (C)long for to (D7x2)stay
When (Gx2)who should I meet but this (Emx2)pretty fair maid
Came a (Am)traipsing a(D7)long the high(Gx2)way
She (Gx2)was both fair and (C)handsome (G)
Her (G)neck it was (C)just like a (D7x2)swans'
And her (Gx2)hair is hung over her (Emx2)shoulder
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (D7x2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 3 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
I (Gx4)took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And the (G)gentleman (C)passing us (D7x2)by
Well I (Gx2)knew she meant the un(Emx2)doing of him
By the (Am)look in her (D7)roguish black (Gx2)eye
A (Gx2)gold watch she took from his (C)pocket (G)
And (G)placed it right (C)into my (D7)hand
And the (Gx2)very first thing I (Emx2)said was
Bad (Am)'cess to the (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (D7x2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 4 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C (1strum)|Rest|
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Be(Gx4)fore the judge and the jury
Next (G)morning I (C)had to a(D7x2)ppear
And the (Gx2)judge he said to (Emx2)me 'Young man
Your (Am)case is (D7)proven (Gx2)clear'
We'll (Gx2)give you seven years penal (C)servitude
To be (G)spent far a(C)way from the (D7x2)land
Far a(Gx2)way from your friends and com(Emx2)panions
Be(Am)trayed by the (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (D7x2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (Gx2)band
Verse 5 -
|G - - |G - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G - - |
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - - |G (1strum)|
So (Gx4)come all you jolly young fellows
a (G)warning (C)take by (D7x2)me
when (Gx2)you are out on the (Emx2)town me lads
be(Am)ware of the (D7)pretty coll(Gx2)eens
They'll (Gx2)feed you with strong (C)drink me (G)lads
'Til (G)you are un(C)able to (D7x2)stand
And the (Gx2)very next thing you (Emx2)know me lads, you've
(Am)landed in (D7)Van Diemen's (Gx2)Land
Chorus -
|G - - |G - - |C - - |G - - |
|G - - |C - - |D7 - - |D7 - - |
|G - - |G - - |Em - - |Em - - |
|Am - - |D7 - - |G - D7 |G
Her (Gx2)eyes they shone like (C)diamonds (G)
I (G)thought her the (C)queen of the (D7x2)land
And her (Gx2)hair hung over her (Emx2)shoulders
Tied (Am)up with a (D7)black velvet (G)band (D7) (G)
Final Chord Strum: G
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Click below to discover how I can help you -
We'll have a 45 minute call over zoom and we'll start with diagnosing your current situation. Then we'll see if my process will work for you and map out an action plan to get you playing your favourite songs confidently.
Black Velvet Band Videos
Black Velvet Band Lyrics
In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprentice to a trade I was bound
And many's an hour's sweet happiness
Have I spent in this 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 hung over her shoulders
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
Came a traipsing along the highway
She was both fair and handsome
Her neck it was just like a swans'
And her hair is 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 hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid
And the gentleman passing us by
Well I knew she meant the doing of him
By the look in her roguish black eye
A gold watch she took from his pocket
And placed it right into my hand
And the very first thing I said was
Bad 'cess to the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before the judge and the jury
Next morning I had to appear
And the judge he said to me 'Young man
Your case 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 companions
Betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulders
Tied up with a black velvet band
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