One night while out for a ramble the hour was just about nine
I met a young maiden in Frisco on the corner of Cherry and Pine
On her face there was beauty of nature and her eyes just seemed to expand
Her hair was so rich and so brilliant entwined in a blue velvet band

[ banjo ]
We strolled down the long street together in my pocket she placed her small hand
Planted the evidence on me the girl in the blue velvet band
Then I heard the scream of the siren and the girl in the blue velvet band
She left me to face all the trouble with a diamond that was worth two grand

[ fiddle ]
They sent me to San Quintin for stealing and God knows I'm an innocent man
For the guilty one now she lies dying that girl in the blue velvet band
I'll be out in a year then I'm leaving but I'll carry the name of a man
Who spent ten years in this prison for the girl in the blue velvet band

[ guitar - dobro ]
Last night when bed-time was ringing I was standing close to the bars
I fancied I could hear a voice calling far out in the ocean of stars
I'll be out in a year then I'm leaving but I'll carry the name of a man
Who spent ten years in this prison for the girl in the blue velvet band