She danced in the dirty streets Satin shoes tied to her feet People round here said she was a sight Every night when the sun went down She'd curtsy and take a bow To the man in the moon and the dim street lights We held in high regard The rose in the mission yard Singing, "Buffalo Gals won't you come out tonight
And her name was Ruby Brown And she came through shanty town Like a queen without a crown And her name was Ruby Brown
Long about ten years ago She disappeared, why no one knows But some say she was running for her life 'Cause a mean looking man in a limousine Came down from New Orleans He said he came here looking for his wife
And her name was Ruby Brown And she came through shanty town Like a queen without a crown And her name was Ruby Brown
Some say he beat her bad 'Till she just went plain mad But I say she went where he could never go
And her name was Ruby Brown And she came through shanty town Like a queen without a crown And her name was Ruby Brown