I peeked in to say goodnight and I heard my child in prayer
Send for me some scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for my hair
All the stores were closed and shuttered all the streets were dark and bare
In our town no scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair

Through the night my heart was aching just before the dawn was breaking
I peeked in and on her bed in gay profusion laying there
Lovely ribbons scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair

If I live to be one hundred I will never know from where
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair