Belafonte, Harry - Scarlet Ribbons Lyrics






I peeked in to say good-night
When I heard my child in prayer
"And for me, some scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for my hair"

All our stores were closed and shuttered
All the streets were dark and bare
In our town, no scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair

Through the night my heart was aching
Just before the dawn was breaking
In our town, no scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair

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 lovely scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Belafonte, Harry Scarlet Ribbons Comments
  1. L.... J....

    My grandmother use to sing this to me at bedtime when we would stay with her during Christmas. She always sang with tears in her eyes. Now that she's passed, I understand why. She was making memories that would stay with me long after she was gone ❤

  2. P.... W....

    My wife's late father also sang this to her when she was little. It means so much to her, she really misses him. It is nice to hear these lovely songs, the world would be so much poorer without them, and the special memories they bring back to many.

  3. J.... W....

    Good version. But I think Willie Nelson tops it.

  4. D.... S....

    Just learning to play the Irish tin Whistle and this song suddenly came into my whistle like a blast from the past. Amazing

  5. R.... T....

    A very pretty song.

  6. K.... H....

    My Mum sang this to me as a child and sang it again tonight from her hospital bed just before my 55th birthday. Treasured moments.xx

  7. E.... G....

    52 dislikes where the hell come from???
    My dad used to play this song with his guitar...
    now He is in heaven..
    Anytime i Listen this song, recall the time I spent with him..

  8. w.... m....

    My grandma used to scratch my back and sing me to sleep with this song

  9. W.... i....

    Thanks for the memories. I've sung this 1000 times since the 1950s. Bless you Harry Belafonte.

  10. M.... P....

    BEAUTIFUL ! Takes me way ,way,,back in my memory....oh ,please god, let me be little again ...so many people I remember ,.all gone now .♥️♥️♥️♥️this song.

  11. R.... S....

    One of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever, not just Christmas either, Belafonte with his voice like silk, pure magic.

  12. L.... J....

    My grandmother would sing this to my sister and me before bed when we would stay with her. This song always brings back such wonderful memories ❤

  13. D.... S....

    My Dad used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. RIP Dad, love you 😍

  14. B.... H....

    I love this, and this is the BEST version of this song sung by a Man who sounds so GENUINE. What a wonderful voice

  15. P.... R....

    I sing this song every now and again. One of the lovely songs of my childhood. 😂happy tears.

  16. M.... A....

    This song has always touched my Soul, beautiful !

  17. G.... G....

    I own "The Belafonte Song Book." At one time, I could play every song in the book on either the piano or my accordion. I don't have either instrument at present, but I do have the book, and I'm hoping to have a piano again one of these days, I'm betting I'll be able to go in and play at least a few of them almost by memory...and hear his voice singing, as well, because we had the two Carnegie Hall [double record] albums that I listened to almost as often as I played the song on our old piano. I will always love Harry Belafonte's music.

  18. G.... P....

    That initial voice seems discordant with that face. . .

  19. M.... V....

    Dit is het lied wat ik bedoel, Scarlett ribbons , wat een heerlijk ,triest ,lied. Dank je Harry Belafonte.liefs marian.

  20. A.... D....

    The 1st song Eric Clapton learnt on the guitar..

  21. J.... M....

    Harry Belafonte sings this song with the true passion it deserves, yet it is restrained and not overblown. <3

  22. b.... ....

    a teacher sang this often when i was a child, to me x

  23. V.... ....

    The song, and Harry singing it, is a Prayer🙏
    Lovely!

  24. a.... a....

    Esta buena canción la compusieron JACK SEGAL y EVELYN DANZIG y la canto y la publico JO STAFFORD en el 1949 y la versiono HARRY BELAFONTE quien la canto y la publico en el año 1952

  25. J.... L....

    Harry Belafonte (R.I.P. 1962 - 1988).
    Released 16 October 1968

    J.... L....

    He was only 46 years old. What was cause of death?

    J.... L....

    Actually, he's still alive, and is 92 years old as of July, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte

  26. G.... D....

    Love it, because it is a beautiful song, sung by a most talented individual and also the music was composed by my aunt Evelyn Danzig in about 1950.

    G.... D....

    It's a lovely song. Everyone imagines it to be really old, but as you said, only written about 70 years ago. Beautiful.

    G.... D....

    it's lovely

  27. C.... C....

    My beautiful Aunt Joan used to sing this to me before bed when we spent the weekends at my grandma & grandpa's house. Such sweet memories.....

  28. R.... W....

    Beautiful song, Harry. I should have said so before now.

  29. K.... O....

    GOD has been extra kind to this voice, difficult to imitate, smooth as velvet

  30. B.... D....

    Used to listen to this when I was really young and loved it then. Today, all of a sudden, it came to my mind and I had to look it up. Still love it, although it doesn't bring up the images I had as a child.

  31. E.... C....

    so ein schöner mann, so eine schöne stimme - er wird auch in 1000 jahren noch so schön sein wie heute!

    E.... C....

    gut gesagt!

  32. M.... M....

    my mum used to sing this to me when l was a young child.she had no money for scarlet ribbons.hard to think that now.

  33. [.... M....

    Not only a great singer, but one of the best popular songs ever written

  34. R.... J....

    What is he suggesting here...something supernatural....
    Massavana

  35. D.... V....

    90 years young this year - the fantastic Harry Belafonte.

  36. A.... J....

    My all time favorite song ever! I like him best of all when he sings these kinds of songs.

  37. M.... P....

    Beautiful song...takes me back

  38. A.... B....

    my dad used to sing to me when I was little,rip dad I love and miss you so much xxx

  39. U.... 4....

    "His Voice Is Magic" ........ "To Me He Is Still The Most Beautiful Man, It Doesn't Matter How Old He Is" ........ "May He Live To A 100 Plus" ........

  40. P.... C....

    Memories of my Mom singing this to me when I was a child. Now we just listened to it again together on Christmas Eve after too many years, making yet another wonderful Christmas memory. Thank you!!

  41. S.... N....

    For you Mom while you rest in piece. We miss you so very much.

  42. m.... ....

    Harry was the master of this beautiful song

  43. M.... D....

    Ah, sweet memories!! God is so good!

  44. R.... S....

    seev
    views 0n allplaylists

  45. A.... m....

    I,m 56 and this is the song my dad used to sing to us when he put us to bed....love this version...but my dads was even better.

    A.... m....

    I used to sing my youngest daughter to sleep with 'Happy Trails to You'...I think she went to sleep in order to shout out the awful noise I was making...lol.

  46. w.... ....

    just listening to Harry singing this wonderful version of this great song and i am transported back to my childhood.

  47. M.... C....

    For Naomi Chin Kit

  48. L.... E....

    Belafonte owns this song. I just listened to several singers do it, including Roy Orbison, and there's no comparison.

    L.... E....

    try The Cats singing this song

    L.... E....

    Just tried two versions from The Cats.
    Sorry - they're good but not a patch on Harry.
    This is THE best version ever recorded I reckon. My mum had this on a 78. I used to play it when I was about 8 years old.

    L.... E....

    +leslie graham my mum played this too and introduced me to him unconsciously, i agree this is the very best version. I remember being fascinated by the phrase ,,gay profusion,, altho i had no idea what it meant. ...and although i,m irish i prefer the Harry B version of Danny boy which my mum played to any irish singer i think. I hope it,s on here!best wishes

  49. S.... S....

    New rules - if you look this good you can't sound this good. It's just not fair, so there!

  50. C.... c....

    I love this song. My mum sang it to me when I was a baby.

  51. A.... B....

    always loved this song -

  52. c.... 4....

    Gorgeous Mr. Belafonte! What a gentleman you are. I just saw you on the special made by Ken Burns about Jackie Robinson. I'd like to thank you for recording this song...for my father with his tenor voice would sing it to me as a tiny child. I'll never forget it or him. Blessings to you!

    c.... 4....

    Very sweet sentiment! Thank you for posting!🙋👍💐🙏🏻

  53. K.... M....

    One of the best voices of his era.

  54. M.... C....

    Such a fabulous singer

  55. G.... S....

    Truly Beautiful. .....

  56. J.... H....

    Brings such great childhood memories

    J.... H....

    A different world then.

  57. A.... D....

    my dads song to me+my 3sisters x

  58. T.... B....

    Fantastic voice

  59. E.... R....

    My mom sang this to me at night. What wonderful memories! Such a beautiful song.

  60. j.... p....

    Beautiful song just love it

  61. M.... O....

    My dear Dad who is now passed used to sing this to me every night at bed time. Such happy memories

    M.... O....

    My mother would sing this song to me all the time l had it played her funeral it worked so well people asking who it was thank you Harry Belafonte xx

    M.... O....

    Mine, too..... we used to sing and play guitar together....

    M.... O....

    Sad to think one day this song will make cry cause it will be just be a memory xxx

  62. W.... W....

    My daddy sang this song to me a few times when I was a girl. I never forgot it.

  63. B.... L....

    I play guitar and sing this song  at the over 70s evening club every christmas, if only I could do it like Harry Belafonte, it's a beautiful song.

  64. M.... ....

    Just beautiful

  65. T.... C....

    My Dad used to sing this to me when i was little, love it, but then Harry is one of the best

  66. J.... P....

    This song always makes me cry. So touching.

  67. D.... W....

    thanks, I love this song 

  68. D.... G....

    If you love this song?? Watch A 50 year old secret on you tube...

  69. J.... T....

    Harry is better than elvis to me in my opinion: )

    J.... T....

    Jordan Tucker Mick Jagger beats them both ! :)

    J.... T....

    Different genre - get a grip!

    J.... T....

    lets not compare apple with orange

  70. P.... T....

    Sweet memories for so many - thanks Mr Belafonte.

  71. B.... T....

    my mother sang this to me every Christmas Eve night :)

  72. J.... W....

    the version i knew was done by nina and frederick, one of the few records of my gran's that i grew up with...... though my dad did sing to us too

  73. l.... m....

    mon Ami ce ne serait pas toi par hasard qui interprète cette magnifique chanson,C'est un régal pour les oreilles ,et le coeur,, mais j'ai peine à croire parce que je ne savais tellement pas ,,que tu chantais,, c'est une merveille pour moi ,si  dis moi ?   

  74. M.... ....

    Awesomely sweet and wonderful!

  75. m.... ....

    is heel mooi gezongen ,maar ik vindt de tribute band, van de cats t ook heeeel mooi zingen

  76. M.... ....

    A one in a million voice. Harry Belafonte is right up there with the awesome all time classic vocalist.

  77. P.... S....

    My dad as well though he did not die until much later I lost him when I was 9, but his voice was exactly like this song!

  78. t.... ....

    this is one of my favorite songs. it is easily one of the best versions of this song.

  79. C.... M....

    What perfect enunciation of words, , what tenderness and softness he brings to this song - he is sublime......

  80. r.... ....

    How beautiful a song can be... This man's voice is so pure, so fascinating, so mysterious, but above everything, so beautiful.

  81. J.... M....

    My dad bought the record of this song for me, not this version, when I was a baby...over 50 years ago.

    Happy Fathers' Day to those no longer with us. We will always miss you. X

  82. S.... R....

    I was brought up by my Grandparents and Nan used to sing it to me. I sang it to my children and now I sing it to my very precious Grand-daughter - I'm so lucky to have the chance to do so.

  83. R.... B....

    my dad sang it to me too

  84. M.... W....

    Reading through all the comments I can honestly say my Daddy used to sing this to me too. It just shows me that in those days our parents really did care for us and were not afraid to show it. I also miss my Daddy may he rest in peace with my Mum who died 6months before him .

  85. H.... L....

    Harry Belafonte is the best. Love hearing him singer.

  86. M.... ....

    My father sang this to my sister and I. I lost him when I was in my mid-20s, so it wasn't as terrible as your loss. But, I've been revisiting a lot of music in memory of him and of my younger sister, who lived to be only 10 years older than he was. Now, I feel as if I have half a heart. I have my wonderful mother still, thank heaven.

  87. J.... B....

    My mother use to sing this song to me as a child!

  88. C.... ....

    The most touching song of love of a mother for her child I have every heard

  89. W.... D....

    melting, so sweet a voice ,so very very handsome ,thankyou for the up-load ,a great song .

  90. m.... ....

    Yep...The Cats is my favourite version of the song too.

  91. R.... R....

    This song is on many Harry Belafonte albums,in the iTunes store it's on the album "The Very Best Of Harry Belafonte" I'm sure you can buy it in your local music store (if they still exist)....hope this helps......

  92. f.... ....

    and
    cy grant and jimmy mcgregor!

  93. P.... F....

    where can get this on a dvd ???????

  94. D.... V....

    I think because this song shows the love of a parent for their child, it has run through my head these last couple days after the massacre of the innocents in Connecticut. Listening to it now brought more tears to my eyes.

  95. s.... ....

    My dad used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. In a few days it'll be 2 years since he passed away. TY for posting!

  96. P.... L....

    I remember my dad singing this to me, I have sung it to my 3 children and now sing it to my 5 grand children..Listen to Sinead Oconnor's version, it is heartbreaking.

  97. r.... ....

    listen to the cats scarlet ribbons the most buetiful song

  98. R.... S....

    I used to play this song from I was young, and I am still playing it. Harry is a versatile singer, and traditional and folk songs he does very well!

  99. p.... b....

    My Mum sang this to us, she had the worst voice ever but when she sang this it sent all us kids tp sleep, must have been 9 or 10 before I heard the end lyrics,lol miss her lots.