Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Black Velvet Band” by The Blarney Lads
“Black Velvet Band”, released by The Blarney Lads in 2000, tells a sad tale of a man who fell in love with a fair maiden in his hometown. This gentle Celtic ballad illustrates a devastating story of heartbreak, love, and loss.
The narrator of the song tells us that he met this maiden, the “young girl”, when he was a “young lad” in his hometown. He desired her so intensely that he “loved her past the making” and gave her a black velvet band so they could be connected. We soon learn, however, that this young girl comes from the other side of the village and will be going away soon, leaving the heartbroken narrator.
This devastating situation is further compounded by the fact that this was all “done in the sweet ould country,” where the young girl was born and raised. Even though the narrator will never see this maiden again, he still thinks of her every day, while playing his violin and dreaming of the possibilities that could have been.
The chorus of the song is a plea for the young maiden to keep the narrator “in her memory”, despite the fact that she is traveling away from him. This verse emphasizes the heartbreak felt by the narrator, and his realization of the fact that the young maiden is going away while he is staying behind. This sense of loss and regret is what makes “Black Velvet Band” so powerful.
The folk-inspired instrumentation creates an atmosphere where the lyrics of sadness and longing take center stage. The acoustic guitar and fiddle offer a somber melody that fits perfectly with the mood of the song.
Ultimately, The Blarney Lads’ “Black Velvet Band” tells a heartbreaking story of unrequited love, and how an unexpected separation can cause immense sadness and loss. The narrator’s longing and regret is made palpably clear, making this one of the most powerful and moving songs of its era.