Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Never been there before
You slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor
I don't mind a lean old time
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soul
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
I spent some time in New Orleans
And came along a bend
But Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell

In Scarlet Town today
On 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 mountainside
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Now 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 own true love
If you never see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today