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