I peek in to say goodnight
And I heard my child in prayer
"And for me some scarlett ribbons
Scarlett ribbons for my hair"

All the stores were closed and shuddered
All the streets were dark and bare
In our town no scarlett ribbons
Not one ribbon for her hair

Through the night my heart was aching
Just before the dawn was breaking
I'd peeked in and on her bed
A gay profusion lying there
Lovely ribbons, scarlett ribbons
Scarlett ribbons for her hair

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