You've 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 that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore

And yes, it's true that
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 paralyzed
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 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've heard it slamming
Some 100 times before

And 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 sake turn around