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

Ruby don't take your love to town

It wasn't me who started that old crazy Asian war

But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores

Yes it's true I'm not the man I used to be but Ruby I still need your company

[ banjo - dobro ]

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

Ruby don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause I've just heard the slamming of the door

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

And if I could move I get my gun and put her in the ground

Ruby don't take your love to town

Oh Ruby don't take your love to town for God sakes turn around