You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town

Fot it wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And Ruby I know that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby I still need your company

It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralized
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age Ruby I realize
But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
And if I could get my gun you know I put her in the ground
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town