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