I peeped in to say good night And I heard my child in prayer "bring me some scarlet ribbons Scarlet ribbons for my hair" All the stores were closed and shuttered All the streets were dark and bare In my town no scarlet ribbons Not one ribbon for her hair Through the night my heart was aching Just before the dawn was breaking I peeped in and on her bed In gay profusion lying there Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons Scarlet ribbons for her hair If I live to be a hundred I shall never know from where Came those lovely scarlet ribbons Scarlet ribbons for her hair