[Verse 1]
Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Ain't never been there before
Well, you slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor

[Verse 2]
Now 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

[Chorus]
Well, look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today

[Verse 3]
Now I spent some time in New Orleans
And in Cairo on a bend
But Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been

[Chorus]
Ahh, look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
[Verse 4]
On the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like Polly on the mountainside

[Chorus]
Ahh, look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today

[Verse 5]
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

[Verse 6]
So fare you well, my own true love
If you ever see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town

[Chorus]
Now look at that deep well
Look at that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today