I met Ruby on a bus from state to state
She was tired, I was timid, it was late
She was to marry her southland sweetheart
Bittersweet, I am when it comes to young love

James was a well-known man around town
He sold houses to the masses
In the state of Burley Down
And I saw him leaving slowly
With a young man at his hip

Where did my love go?
He was the sailor of my ship

Jimmy was the best she ever had
When you think you cannot breathe
And you know you’d rather die instead
That’s when you know you have to go
And he knew he had to leave
So in the state of where you are
Roll up the windows and drive an old blue car

Ruby, does he hold you like he held me so?
After does he rub your back and sing you slow?
Take you to highest high and lowest low

Oh Ruby, I don’t think so

James was a well-known man around town
He sold houses to the masses
In the state of Burley Down
And I saw leaving slowly
With a young man at his hip