You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair.
Ruby are you contemplating 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 chore.
Oh I know, Ruby that I'm not the man I used to be.
But Ruby, I still need your company.

It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed.
And the want 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'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, for God's sake turn around