"You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille

With four hungry children and a crop in the field

I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times

But this time your hurting won't heal

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille"

You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair

Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?

The shadows 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