I peeked in to say goodnight

And 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

Scarlet ribbons for her hair

Thru the night my heart was aching

Just before the dawn was breaking

I peeped in and on her pillow

On her pillow lying there

Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons

Scarlet ribbons for her hair

If I live to be a hundred

I will never know from where

Came those ribbons, scarlet ribbons

Scarlet ribbons for her hair