I peeked in to say goodnight
And then I heard my child in prayer
"And 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
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 lying there
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair

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