Written and recorded by Hank Snow      (spoken)   Well howdy boys, howdy, man, man it sure seems like a long time    since I last rode down this old trail. How ya all anyhow?   Fellas, you see, I still have this old cigar box with me. Yes Sir!   And better yet, all the boys out here at the R.K. Ranch are singin'   a new song now. Hope you like it because it's my answer to   The Blue Velvet Band. It goes like this.      By and old willow tree in the churchyard   On the banks of the old Rio Grande   Lies a loved one who died broken hearted   She was known as the Blue Velvet Band      She was called by the angels up yonder   As the dew kissed the pale summer rose   As we stood there in silence, dishearted   These words to her lover did go      Dear Jack, you mistrusted your darling   You said that my love wasn't true   You've roamed o'er the wide open spaces   But my thoughts, they were always of you      Now, my last wish was once more to see you   But they say you're in some foreign land   You're forgiveness is in this last message   From your heartbroken Blue Velvet Band      Far away o'er the lone western prairie   Her message sped fast o'er the way   To the side of a bed where her cowboy   Was grieving his life fast away      Please grant a last wish, boys, and lay me   Out West on that old Rio Grande   Neath that old willow tree in the churchyard   By my sweetheart, the Blue Velvet Band