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 who 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 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 



And she's leaving now cause I 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'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 

Turn around 

(Get back in here! You're not single anymore! Where the fuck do you think you're going?!?)