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 little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Done 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 Cairo on a bet
A 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
But you left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainside

Look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
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 one 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 grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today