you've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair

ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?

the shadows on the wall tells me the sun is going down

oh ruby, don't take your love to town

it wasn't me that started that old crazy asian war

but i was proud to go and do my patriotic chore

and yes, it's true that i'm not the man i used to be

oh ruby, i still need some company

it's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed

and the wants and needs of a woman your age really 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 heard its slams one hundred times before

and if i could move i'd get my gun and put her in the ground

oh ruby, don't take your love to town

oh ruby, for god's sake, turn around