I peeked in to say goodnight when I heard my child in prayer

Send dear God 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 not one ribbon 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

I saw ribbons scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair

If I live to be a hundred I will never know from where

Came those lovely scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair