You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby, are you contemplating
Goin' 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 that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores
Yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
But 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'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town.
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town...