SCARLET RIBBONS
(learned in about 1959 from Martin Choate)
I peeked in to say good night, and I saw my child in prayer,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
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 anywhere.
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 a hundred,
I will never know from where
Came those ribbons, scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for her hair.