Mother, mother, mother, mother, mother
You underestimated her, child
Beause I was only three
I still had eyes, oh, I could see
And I couldn't respect
That's why I called you, called you by your first name
I said

Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town
Ruby, Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town, no

I can't stand to hear that screen door slam
I know you're leaving, why can't you let him be
Ruby Dean, he's everything to me
Just too blind too see

Ruby, Ruby Dean please stop doin' my dad this way, please
Don't you take your love to town
You oughta spend a little more time at home
Don't you take your love to town

He breeds you and me, far as I can see
Let my dad go free, I don't mind you doing it to me
Ruby Dean, he's been good to me
Why can't you let him be

Please, Ruby Dean, oh Ruby Dean
Oh, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Dean
Don't you take your love to town, no

I keep lookin' in my dad's eyes
I can see that he's cried
"Leave me alone"
Ruby, Ruby Dean
Ruby, Ruby
I can't help myself
You know I seen too much
Mother, mother, mother, mother
You underestimated her, child
'Cause I was only three
I still had eyes, oh, I could see
I couldn't respect ya, mama
That's why I called ya
Ruby
Ruby
Ruby