You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair Ruby are you contemplatin' going out somewhere The shadows on the wall tell me the sun is going down Oh Ruby don't take your love to town For it wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores Ruby I know I'm not the man that I used to be but Ruby I still need your company It's hard to love a man whose legs're 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 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 Ruby for God's sakes turn around