The Girl with the Blue Velvet Band

In that city of wealth, beauty and fashion;

Dear old Frisco, where I first saw the light,

And the many frolics that I had there

Are still fresh in my memory tonight.

One evening while out for a ramble;

Here or there without thought or design,

I chanced on a young girl tall and slender,

On the corner of Kearney and Pine.

On her face was the first flush of nature,

And bright eyes seemed to expand;

While her hair fell in rich, brilliant masses,

Was entwined in a Blue Velvet Band.

To a house of gentle ruination,

She invited me with a sweet smile;

She seemed so ready, inviting;

That I thought I would tarry awhile.

She then shared with me a collection

Of wines of an excellent brand,

And conversed in politest language;

This girl with the Blue Velvet Band.

After lunch, to a well-kept apartment,

We repaired to the third floor above;

And I thought myself truly in heaven,

Where reigneth the goddess of love.

Her lady’s taste was resplendent,

From the graceful arrangement of things;

From the pictures that stood on the bureau,

To a little bronze Cupid with wings.

But what struck me the most was an object

’Twas the costly “lay-out” of a hop-fiend,

And that fiend was my Blue Velvet Band.

On a pile of soft robes and pillows;

She reclined, I declare, on the floor,

Then we both hit the pipe and I slumbered,

I ponder it over and o’er.

’Tis months since the craven arm grasped me,

And in bliss did my life glide away;

From opium to “dipping” and thieving,

She artfully led day by day.

One evening, coming home wet and dreary,

With the swag from a jewelry store;

I heard the soft voice of my loved one,

As I gently opened the door.

“If you’ll give me a clue to convict him,”

Said a stranger, in tones soft and grand,

“You’ll then prove to me that you love me”;

“It’s a go,” said my Blue Velvet Band.

Ah! How my heart filled with anger,

At woman, so fair, false and vile,

And to think that I once true adored her;

Brought to my lips a mock smile.

All ill-gotten gains we had squandered,

And my life was hers to command;

Betrayed and deserted for another—

Could this be my Blue Velvet Band?

Just a few moments before I was hunted

By the cops, who wounded me, too.

And my temper was none the sweetest,

As I swung myself into their view.

And the copper, not liking the glitter

Of the “44” Colt in my hand;

Hurriedly left through the window,

Leaving me with my Blue Velvet Band.

Had she been true when I met her,

Great future for us was in store,

For I was an able mechanic,

And honest and square to the core.

What happened to me I will tell you;

I was “ditched” for a desperate crime;

There was hell in a bank about midnight,

And my pal was shot down in his prime.

As a convict of hard reputation,

Ten years of hard grind I did land,

And I often thought of the pleasures

I had with my Blue Velvet Band.

One night as bed time was ringing

I was standing close to the bars

I fancied I heard a girl singing

Far out in the ocean of stars.

Her voice had the same touch of sadness

I knew that but one could command,

It had the same thrill of gladness

As that of my Blue Velvet Band.

Dear pals, when my “hitch” is completed,

Back to Frisco I’ll journey again;

Where my chances are worth a few dollars—

All the way from a thousand to ten.

Once again I will try to live honest;

Though I go to some far distant land,

And bid adios to dear Frisco

And the girl with the Blue Velvet Band.

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