Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town - Lyrics - George Jones

George Glenn Jones was an American musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including "White Lightning", as well as his distinctive voice and phrasing. For the last 20 years of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. Country music scholar Bill C. Malone writes, "For the two or three minutes consumed by a song, Jones immerses himself so completely in its lyrics, and in the mood it conveys, that the listener can scarcely avoid becoming similarly involved." Waylon Jennings expressed a similar opinion in his song "It's Alright": "If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum."

Written by Mel Tillis You've painted up your lips An 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 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 it's true I'm not the man, Ruby, that I used to be Ruby, I still need some company It's 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 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 leavin' now 'cause I just heard The slamming 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 put her in the ground Ruby, don't take your love to town For God's sake turn around Don't take your love to town...