Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town
Jason & The Scorchers Lyrics
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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
Dont take your love to town
It wasnt me
That started that old crazy asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, its true that
Im not the man I used to be
Oh, ruby I still need some company
Its hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralysed
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age
Ruby I realize,
But it wont be long Ive heard them say until I not around
Oh ruby
Dont take your love to town
Shes leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know Ive heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move Id get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh ruby
Dont take your love to town
Oh ruby for gods sake turn around
The song "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town" by Jason & The Scorchers is a cover of a song of the same name by Kenny Rogers. The lyrics are about a veteran of the Vietnam War who is paralyzed from the waist down and cannot satisfy his wife's needs. The song starts with the man noticing that his wife, Ruby, is getting ready to go out somewhere. He pleads with her not to take her love to town, expressing his fear that she will cheat on him while he is unable to keep her satisfied. The theme of the song revolves around loneliness, regret, and the difficulties of living with the physical and emotional scars of war.
The song is a poignant narrative about the human cost of war and the trauma that veterans experience when they come back. The lyrics are both brave and heartbreaking, as they paint a picture of a man who has given everything for his country but is unable to find peace in his own life. The line "It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed" is particularly powerful, capturing the isolation and alienation that many veterans experience. By the end of the song, the man's desperation has reached its peak, as he contemplates killing his own wife before she leaves him for good.
Line by Line Meaning
Youve painted up your lips
You're wearing makeup
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
You styled your hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Ruby, are you thinking about
Going out somewhere
Going out to socialize
The shadow on the wall
The darkness is setting in
Tells me the sun is going down
The day is ending
Oh ruby
Oh Ruby, my love
Dont take your love to town
Don't go out and cheat on me
It wasnt me
I'm not responsible
That started that old crazy asian war
For starting the Vietnam War
But I was proud to go
I was proud to serve my country
And do my patriotic chore
And act as a soldier
And yes, its true that
And it's true that
Im not the man I used to be
I've changed since coming back from war
Oh, ruby I still need some company
But Ruby, I still need you by my side
Its hard to love a man
It's difficult to love someone
Whose legs are bent and paralysed
Who's disabled
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age
And the desires of a woman your age
Ruby I realize,
I understand, Ruby,
But it wont be long Ive heard them say until I not around
But I won't be around for much longer
Oh ruby
Oh Ruby, my love
Dont take your love to town
Don't leave me for someone else
Shes leaving now cause
She's leaving now because
I just heard the slamming of the door
I heard her slam the door
The way I know Ive heard it
Like I've heard it before
Some 100 times before
Over and over again
And if I could move Id get my gun
If only I could move, I'd grab my gun
And put her in the ground
And kill her
Oh ruby
Oh Ruby, my love
Dont take your love to town
Please don't leave me for another person
Oh ruby for gods sake turn around
Please turn around and come back to me, Ruby.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mel Tillis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dangherna0322
Can’t believe I found this!! I saw Jason and the Nashville Scorchers play a matinee gig at Mabel’s in Champaign IL in spring ’83. Didn’t know what to expect. They played “Ruby” early in the set and my jaw dropped! I remember thinking: THEY CAN’T DO THAT!! What a great band, I’ve been a fan every since.
@stevejones7969
These guys steered me through the mid 80's .......... Love um
@emmetteaster9535
Not sure the first time I heard this song. The lyrics and message are haunting.
@GreenCanvasInteriorscape
You do know that it's a Kenny Rogers cover right?
@TheMarcusYukoFireHydrant
Awesome
@stevejones7969
Brilliant I luv um