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
Ruby don't take your love to town
It wasn't me who started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores
Yes it's true I'm not the man I used to be but Ruby I still need your company
[ banjo - dobro ]
It's hard to love a man whose legs are 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
Ruby don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause I've 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 get my gun and put her in the ground
Ruby don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town for God sakes turn around