You 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

It wasn't me that started this whole crazy asian war

But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore

Yes it's true 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 paralised

And won't settle needs of a woman your age, Ruby I realise

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 cuz I've just heard the slammming of the door

The way I know, I've heard it slam a hundred times before

But 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 sakes turn around