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 shall never love one other
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons, for her hair