[Verse 1]
You have painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
A-Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
Well, the shadows on the wall tell me that the sun is a-goin' down

[Refrain]
Well, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
Don't take your love to town

[Verse 2]
Well, it is hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and the needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realize
But it won't be long, I've a-heard 'em say, until I ain't around

[Refrain]
Well, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
A-honey, don't take your love to town

[Verse 3]
Well, it wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And I know, Ruby, that I'm not the man I'm supposed to be

[Refrain]
Well, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
I still need your company
[Verse 4]
She is leavin' now 'cause I just heard the slammin' of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one-hundred times before
And if I could move, I'd get my gun and I'd put her under the ground

[Outro]
Well, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
I said, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
I said, I said, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
A-don't take your love to town