(First line sans guitar)                                     G#
She painted up her lips and rolled and curled her tinted hair.
D#m   C#                           F#         G#
      Ruby only contemplating going out somewhere.
   D#m                                          G#
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down.
D#m   C# F# D#m  (spoken)                      C#
    Oh Ruby,     don't take your love to town.

 D#m                                 F#        C#
It wasn't me who started this whole crazy Asian war.
 D#m                         F#        G#
I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore.
 D#m                               G#
And yes it's true that I am not the man I used to be.
D#m   C# F# D#m                             C#
    Oh Ruby,     I still need some company.

 C#                                  F#         G#
It's hard to love a man whose legs have been paralyzed.
(the rest is like the first verse)
And it won't suit 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.

(On the album this verse is accompanied by strumming muted strings, or you can play it 
the verse above)
She's leaving now 'cuz I just heard the slamming of the door.
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before.
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 sakes turn around.