Scarlet Ribbons for Her Hair - Harry Belafonte, Odetta

(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)