[Verse 1]
Mother, mother, mother, mother, mother
You underestimated her, child
Beause I was only three
I still had eyes, oh, I could see
And I couldn't respect
That's why I called you, called you by your first name
I said:

[Chorus]
Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town
Ruby, Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town, no

[Verse 2]
I can't stand to hear that screen door slam
I know you're leaving, why can't you let him be
Ruby Dean, he's everything to me
Just too blind too see

[Chorus]
Ruby, Ruby Dean please stop doin' my dad this way, please
Don't you take your love to town
You oughta spend a little more time at home
Don't you take your love to town

[Verse 3]
He breeds you and me, far as I can see
Let my dad go free, I don't mind you doing it to me
Ruby Dean, he's been good to me
Why can't you let him be
[Chorus]
Please, Ruby Dean, oh Ruby Dean
Oh, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Dean
Don't you take your love to town, no

[Outro]
I keep lookin' in my dad's eyes
I can see that he's cried
"Leave me alone"
Ruby, Ruby Dean
Ruby, Ruby
I can't help myself
You know I seen too much
Mother, mother, mother, mother
You underestimated her, child
'Cause I was only three
I still had eyes, oh, I could see
I couldn't respect ya, mama
That's why I called ya
Ruby
Ruby
Ruby