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 curtsey 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
'Til 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