Scarlet Ribbons

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, laying 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