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You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tell 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 paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age, really, 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 its slams 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
Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tell 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 paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age, really, 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 its slams 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
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This song depicts one of the least talked about horrors of war. And probably the most ignored. I only hope that those of us disabled by war or other means can find something to hold on to. Volunteer at a crisis help-line, write a book, paint or sculpt. Do whatever it takes. You're a lot stronger than you think.
Anyone think this is partially inspired by Johnny Cash's "Don't Take Your Guns to Town"?
@Zorro3 No
This song depicts one of the least talked about horrors of war. And probably the most ignored. I only hope that those of us disabled by war or other means can find something to hold on to. Volunteer at a crisis help-line, write a book, paint or sculpt. Do whatever it takes. You're a lot stronger than you think.
In my opinion they are both guilty. As for ruby, she is cheating on his very face! No wonder why he wants to put her in the ground. She sweared before God to love him in good and bad times, when they got married. As for him, he was so selfish in leaving her alone to go a kill people in a war. He didn'tthink of her when he did it. He sweared before God to take care of her but he didn't . He left her alone when she needed him the most, she is young. Patriotic chore? Excuses!!!! His most important chore was her. For me they're both guilty.....I hate abandoners.
@tamalito He was selfish to fight for his country?
This Ruby‘s taken alllll her love to town and it’s not because I’m with a veteran. I’m so dumb when it comes to men I don’t know what the hell I was thinking when I let my parents sent me up with that man twice my age on top of everything else! Man got up and walked out on his wife and kids after 30 something years constant cheater whole 9 yards. Tell me what he told all the other women… what a joke I was. good thing I didn’t fall in love with him I was pretty good at faking it though. I truly truly feel bad for his ex-wife and kids what he did was the worst I should have Known. She was the best thing he’s ever had I am sure of it guys like that they never ever change their fake and phony and it’s only good in the beginning. Learn my lesson So yeah this Ruby went to town and this Ruby ain’t coming back
I've listened to this song since I was a kid but somehow never knew there was a "rebuttal song" to Ruby. For those like me who don't know... "Billy, I've Got To Go To Town" by Geraldine Stevens was released in 1969 and is basically Ruby's side of the story. She denies ever cheating on him, tries to convince him that she still loves him and will never leave and scolds him for his excessive jealousy and lack of trust in her. Ruby's never does give a specific reason for why she needs to go to town or what she'll be doing while she's there. However imo, it kinda sounds like she's just going to work since Billy is unable to after becoming paralyzed in Vietnam. Apparently, there's also another Ruby rebuttal song from Ruby's sons perspective released in 1972 called Ruby Dean by Bobby Womack. Lol I guess everyone was trying to get a piece of Ruby's success! Lol
Mel Tillis wrote this about some neighbors of his, a handicapped Korean War vet and his wife. The real-life situation ended in tragedy.
Only 1 comment so far??? wtf!
Well how about making one yourself?