You 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 this old crazy asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
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 paralised
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 cuz I've just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know, I've heard it slam one hundred times before
But 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 sakes turn around