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 tell me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town

Oh it wasn't me who started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores
And yes it's true I'm not the man that I used to be
Oh Ruby I still need some 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 leavin' now cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
If I could move I get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby for God sake turn around