"If I Had A Ribbon Bow" was the first single released by Fairport Convention in 1967 -- recorded a few months before their first album. As far as I know, it's originally a 30s pop song and it's credited to "Prince/Singer". The lyrics of this song are quite different from the ones listed above and I have no idea which one of the two songs was recorded by Odetta. ^^ Fairport's lyrics are:

If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair
And a gown of calico for me to wear
I'd surely get a sweetheart, a prince or a king
A palace home where I could have everything.

If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair
(... ?) I wouldn't care
I'd stay up in my castle (... ?)
A ribbon bow so fine to tie in my hair.

All the livlong day, to the lord above me
All I do is pray, for someone to love me.

If I had a ribbon bow, all nice and clean
I could be a princess or a fairy queen
Prince Charming then would court me, his love he would swear
If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair.

There's a story long ago, a story seldom told
What she wanted from this world (... ?)
Her wishes were quite plain as you will see
How often she would simply make this plea.

All the livlong day, to the lord above me
All I do is pray, for someone to love me.

If I had a ribbon bow, all nice and clean
I could be a princess or a fairy queen
Prince Charming then would court me, his love he would swear
If I had a ribbon bow to tie in my hair.