Scarlet ribbons

(I peeped in to say good night
When I heard my child in prayer
\"Send me, God, 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
I saw a ribbon, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair)

If I live to be a hundred
I will never know from where
(Came those lovely scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair)