Mother, mother, mother, mother, mother

You underestimated her, child

Beause I was only three

I still had eyes, oh, I could see

And I couldn't respect

That's why I called you, called you by your first name

I said:

Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town

Ruby, Ruby Dean, don't you take your love to town, no

I can't stand to hear that screen door slam

I know you're leaving, why can't you let him be

Ruby Dean, he's everything to me

Just too blind too see

Ruby, Ruby Dean please stop doin' my dad this way, please

Don't you take your love to town

You oughta spend a little more time at home

Don't you take your love to town

He breeds you and me, far as I can see

Let my dad go free, I don't mind you doing it to me

Ruby Dean, he's been good to me

Why can't you let him be

Please, Ruby Dean, oh Ruby Dean

Oh, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Dean

Don't you take your love to town, no

I keep lookin' in my dad's eyes

I can see that he's cried

"Leave me alone"

Ruby, Ruby Dean

Ruby, Ruby

I can't help myself

You know I seen too much

Mother, mother, mother, mother

You underestimated her, child

'Cause I was only three

I still had eyes, oh, I could see

I couldn't respect ya, mama

That's why I called ya

Ruby

Ruby

Ruby