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!