[Verse 1]
You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby, are you contemplating
Going out somewhere?

The shadows on the wall
Tell me the sun is going down
Oh, Ruby don't take your love to town

[Verse 2]
It wasn't me that started
That old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chores

I know Ruby, that I'm not the man I used to be
But, Ruby, I still need your company

[Verse 3]
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and the needs
Of a woman your age, Ruby, I realize

But I've heard them say
It won't be long
Until I'm not around
Oh, Ruby, don't take your love to town

[Verse 4]
She's leaving now
For I just heard
The slamming of the door
The way I know
I've heard it slam
A hundred times before

If I could move
I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh, Ruby, don't take your love to town