It wasn’t me that started this old crazy Asian war,
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore,
And yes, it’s true that I am 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 paralyzed,
And the wants and the 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 cause I just heard the slamming of the door,
The way I know I heard it slam one 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 sake, turn around