I peeked in to say good night
And I heard my child in prayer
"And for me, some scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for my hair"
All our town was 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 pillow
In gay profusion lying 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 ribbons, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair