I peeked in to say goodnight
and I saw 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,
scarlet ribbons for hair.
Through the night, my heart was aching,
just before the dawn was breaking.

I peeked in and on her pillow,
on her pillow lying there.
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons,
scarlet ribbons for her hair.

If I live to be a hundred,
I will never know from where
Came those ribbons, scarlet ribbons,
scarlet ribbons for her hair.