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 ol' crazy asian war

But I was proud to go

And do my patriotic chore

Yes it's always 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 of 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've heard it slam 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