Buddy i went down to scarlet town
ain’t never been there before
well you slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor

Now i don’t mind a little time
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things i’ve seen in Scarlet town
Did mortify my soul

Well look at that deep well
Look at that dug grave
Ringin that i am there
In scarlet town today

I spent some time in New Orleans
And in Cairo on a bend, but
Low as i ever been

On the day i came to scarlet town
You promised i’d be your bride
But you left me here to rot away
Like Polly on the mountain side

Now you may hide in scarlet town for a
Hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is is
Knocking at the door

So fare you well my own true love
If you ever see me around
I’ll be lookin through a telescope
From hell to scarlet town