Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Never been there before
You slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floorI don't mind a little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soulLook at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town todayI spent some time in New Orleans
And ?
A Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town todayOn the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainsideLook at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town todayNow you may hide in Scarlet Town
For a hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is
Is knocking at the door
So fare you well, my one true love
If you never see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet TownLook at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today