You painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair 
 Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere? 
 The 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 
 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 paralised 
 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, don't take your love to town   
 She's leaving now cuz I've just heard the slammming of the door 
 The way I know I've heard it slam a hundred times before 
 And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground 
 Oh, Ruby, don't take your love to town 
 Oh, Ruby, for God's sakes turn around   
 (Get back in here!)