Let me tell you a sad but true story

Let it be an example to man

How I tore down the world of my sweetheart

She was known as The Blue Velvet Band

On her cheeks were the first splash of nature

Her beauty, it seemed to expand

Her golden hair hung in tresses

Tied back with a blue velvet band

But I boarded a tanker for Holland

And accused her for loving some man

Still down in my heart she kept callin'

Come back to your Blue Velvet Band

As the sea-gull flew high up above me

In the path of the still red moonlight

I saw your face and awaked, dear

Out here on the ocean tonight

I was called to the bridge by our captain

His hand held a paper of white

This message just flashed o'er the wireless

And your darlin' is dying tonight

So I boarded a freighter in Cuba

To speed me back to her side

But the bell in the old country steeple

Soon told me my sweetheart had died

Heartbroken, I knelt down and kissed her

The last time to hold her sweet hand

There still, for the ring I had bought her

On her head was a blue velvet band