You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
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 old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
Oh, Ruby
And 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 paralyzed
Ruby
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
Oh, Ruby
Oh, Ruby
Don't take your love to town
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
If I could move, I'd take my gun and put her in the ground
Oh, Ruby
Don't take your love to town
Oh, Ruby
For God's sake, just turn around
Oh, Ruby
Don't take your love to town
Don't take your love to town
Don't take your love to town