You have painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Oh Ruby, are you contemplating
Going out somewhere?
The shadows on the wall
Tell me the sun is going down
Ruby
Honey, don't take your love to town
Yes, it's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and 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
Honey, don't take your love to town
No, it wasn't me that started
That old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
Yes, Ruby, I know I'm not the man
The man I used to be
Oh Ruby
Honey, I still need your company
She's leaving now
I just heard the slamming of the door
And it's the same old slam I know I've heard
A hundred times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Honey, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby
For God's sake, turn around
Turn around