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