I lost my wife/best friend to breast cancer 20 years ago. We both loved Tom Waits. Her name was Rita, four letters beginning with R, just like Ruby. This song is so beautiful that I'm constantly compelled to listen to it, even though it tears me up.
I'm so sorry about your loss. I listened to this nonstop when I lost my husband (also my best friend) and baby, and I still listen to it as the anniversary approaches. That's how I came upon your post here. It's that time of year. I'm so sorry about Rita.
May God bring you comfort. His infinite love will never leave you. May your dear wife, whose spirit has returned to her God, rest in peace until the resurrection. Have faith, you will not be disappointed because our God is not a God who disappoints. The same pain touched me. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because for him all are alive. May the peace and joy of God be upon you. I like so much this song too.
I'm here because Kazuo Ishiguro, the renowned author mentioned about this song in one of his interviews related with his famous book ' The Remains of the Day'.
Funny! I just finished rereading this book and was relistening to this song -- the line about his heart breaking reminded me of a similar line toward the end of Remains. But reading that book called to mind another Tom Waits song, Martha, which also explores romance and regret.
Me too. I am shattered from reading that novel, devastated. Ishiguro implied that he changed the ending of the story because of listening to this song.
Imagine feeling nostalgic or regretful about pasts I did have. Tom Waits has been with me when my heart was broken, I fell in love, I laughed as if tickled, I stayed out too late and we drove to the wrong side of town, when I sat alone at 1pm in a dark, dusty bar, when I woke up with the wrong man,when I woke up with the wrong man, when I woke up with the wrong man. He has expanded my heart by giving it lyrics. And I smile every morning when I call my dog, "HEY PACHUCO!"
Ruth K Beautiful, Ruth. I relate. I've been in those 1 p.m. or 9 a.m. bars, fresh out of jail, and no one to call, a junkies broken promise on my lips. And I'm glad that I knew him for a minute a hundred years ago. I smile too, every morning when my dog jumps on my bed, licks my face and I say, "Hey Floyd."
MY blessed friend, Keleren, invited someone to sing THIS song, on a lightly rainy outside concert night..K's face, below the stage, floated like a moon, lit with joy. She got to introduce her group of friends to the audience and gosh, it's a beautiful masterpiece of writing.. I love Tom Waits, & K and M, Aways. xoxox Barbara June 2024xoxox
I will leave behind all of my clothes I wore when I was with you All I need's my railroad boots And my leather jacket As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms Although my heart is breaking I will steal away out through your Blinds for soon you will be waking The morning light has washed your face And everything is turning blue now Hold on to your pillow case There's nothing I can do now As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms You'll find another soldier And I swear to God by Christmas time There'll be someone else to hold you The only thing I'm taking is The scarf off of your clothesline I'll hurry past your chest of drawers And your broken window chimes As I say goodbye I'll say goodbye Say goodbye to Ruby's arms I'll feel my way down the darken hall And out into the morning The hobos at the freight yards Have kept their fires burning So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain Will someone put me on a train I'll never kiss your lips again Or break your heart As I say goodbye I'll say goodbye Say goodbye to Ruby's arms
In all the sadness and grief...we still go on..you never know what the next day will bring..may be peace..Thanks Tom for every song you've shared with us
Always my favorite Waits song. "The morning light has washed your face, and everything is turning blue now. Hold onto your pillowcase, there's nothing I can do now." What a seriously profound lyric.
G'day Bert I'm Tim from Australia...can I ask you a question Sir..in 1978 Tom was on the Don Lane show and played "on the nickel" .. the intro was "watlzing Matilda" ...I just want to know how and why he used waltzing Matilda for the intro mate any truth on this will be very much appreciated .cheers mate
@@timskin69 I can only reply from my own experience as a song writer. We're always looking for a spring board to launch a new song, and we never know where it's going to come from. It is not uncommon to find ourselves borrowing, consciously or unconsciously from existing songs, and, as the saying goes, you have to go with what moves you. When I listen to that particular songs, I get a feeling about the story, that's it's the story of a Pacific Ocean sailor and his travels and travails, so by kicking it off with that reference Tom is setting us up for the background. Incidentally, that is one of my favorite of his very long songs.
Makes me think of my Mom. She died early in the morning, in her bed at the nursing home after a battle with Alzheimer's and COPD. Her hair was spread out around her face like a halo. It was March, and it had snowed the night before. Leaving the nursing home with my brother was so surreal. The sun had come out, and it was so beautiful on the snow. 😢
Exactly the line I love from this song..that with love comes the risk of pain from departure..wow..The sincerity in all his music is unsurpassed by any artist I have ever heard!
Szabolcs Mátyássy - wonderful words heartbreaking song in my cab it calms me down pillow kisses someone elses arms will hold you close yesterday and now 🐓🤍☘️🤍🐓🤍☘️🤍🐓🤍☘️🤍 Landgrüsssse
***** As a general rule, I prefer songs that are not overproduced but this one is an exception. The intro with the brass evokes a feeling of agonizing over a difficult decision he must make. Then the brass is countered by the melancholy piano and strings. I would like to hear the live version though!!
"I'll never kiss your lips again.. or break your heart"..What a line!..What that means to me is that with love there is risk..of the pain after departure
A dear friend reminded me of this song. My boyfriend broke my heart and I couldn't stop playing this song for too long, a my best friend reminded me of it, 30 years later. It was all for the good in the end and am married to my true soul mate, but the emotions still come back, just less.... definitely one of the saddest songs written, for me.
Ruby is my grandmother's name. Her beauty was incredible. ..her life not so easy. She died in a car accident. My grandpa had many children with her .. my mom looked like her until alcohol took her from the mom I knew before I was ten. . Ultimately took her life in 2009. I know 2 ruby songs .. Ironically the other mentions paralysis. ..I am a c4 quadriplegic .. to have my grandma's name in that old song.. put a wow in the time I heard it after paralysis. It had been my mom's favorite song throughout my youth. Ruby is my birthstone. ..Some things have meanings .. meant to be felt...like a beautiful ruby and name named ruby.
Wow, I can imagine that. Hopefully there'll come a time you can listen to it again and be proud of your mom, being the subject of one of Toms greatest songs.
I lost my brother and best friend Ruben this April... This song makes me cry everytime, cause it touches my soul, and I'll never have Ruby's arms around my shoulder
Tom's always been a master of writing from the perspective of different characters, I'm surprised that there haven't been many comments about how this song is from a perspective of the ghost of a dead soldier saying goodbye to his widowed lover. Its such a beautifully crafted song and as always, his voice and the music compliment the tone of the lyrics masterfully.
I think this song means so much to so many different people.The song means something different to me. To me it's breaking up a dying relationship despite having a profound love for that person. That's the beautiful thing about Tom, his lyrics penetrate our perspectives and sing to us each individually, we make up the rest and therein lies his genius.
@@syarbery6756 1: 'I will steal away out through your Blinds'. 2: Scarf; things get pilfered by the wind. 3: Which rulebook on the etiquette of ghosts do you use &, do all ghosts, let alone the writers, follow it? But even without the ghost imagery it stands up just as well as a straight, typical, beautiful Waitsien, man leaves lover tale...
The first time I saw my dad cry was when his sister,Ruby,died. The again when his daughter,Grace,died. Then,the last time,when he was dying. Ruby Grace is now a name I hold deep inside.
Been a huge fan since the early ‘70’s…nobody writes like Tom Waits. He can just grab every emotion you have and squeeze it like a sponge. This is a gorgeous, emotional song. Gorgeous.
the end chorus is so beautiful ... So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain Will someone put me on a train I'll never kiss your lips again Or break your heart As I say goodbye I'll say goodbye Say goodbye to Ruby's arms
Read this elsewhere "He's stealing away through her window blinds. A person couldn't do that. She's holding her pillow, indicating that he hadn't spent the night with her. Darkened hall, hobos keeping fires burning is the light at the end of the tunnel. The wind took her scarf off the clothesline, disturbed the wind chimes as his spirit passed. I never put it all together until I read your comment. You're right, he's a Soldier who has died in war, come to say his last goodbye to his love." Can't believe I never saw this. Of course he takes her scarf, a champion always wore his Ladys colors.
Really though, it is nothing to do with soldiers, dead or otherwise. A couple of people have kindly transcribed the lyrics for us and have misheard the words, thinking it says "You'll find another soldier". Listen again. The word is obviously "suitor". There's nothing within the context of the song that suggests any connection with the military. The guy is a taking the coward's way out of a relationship that he can't handle by slipping out before she wakes up. That's part of what makes it so poignant and beautiful.
@@chriscameron4798 The morning light has washed your face And everything is turning blue now Hold on to your pillow case There's nothing I can do now As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms You'll find another soldier And I swear to God by Christmastime There'll be someone else to hold you
i think it should be noted that Tom Waits' songs are one of the few things on youtube which no one can say shit about. Even haters can't hate Tom Waits.
My absolute fav Waits song,although EVERY fuckin song on this album is golden,this one moves me to tears every time.......The only good thing my first husband turned me onto was this L.P.
“But in all of the sadness, when you’re feeling that your heart is empty, and lacking, You’ve got to remember that grief isn’t the absence of love. Grief is the proof that love is still there.” Tessa Shaffer, Heaven Has No Regrets . . Will
Lyrics I will leave behind all of my clothes I wore when I was with you. All I needs are my railroad boots And my leather jacket. As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms... Although my heart is breaking I will steal away out through your blinds For soon you will be waking. Morning light has washed your face And everything is turning blue now. I hold on to your pillow case. There's nothing that I can do now. As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms You'll find another soldier. And I swear to God by Christmas time There'll be someone else to hold you. The only thing I'm taking is The scarf off of your clothesline. I'll hurry past your chest of drawers And your broken wind chimes. As I say goodbye, I say goodbye Say goodbye to Ruby's arms. I will feel my way down the darkened hall And out into the morning. The hobos in the freight yards Have kept their fires burning. Said, "Jesus Christ, this god damn rain." Will someone put me on a train? I'll never kiss your lips again Or break your heart. As I say goodbye, I say goodbye Say goodbye to Ruby's arms.
oh Hell, i can't decide between Ruby's arms, Martha or lullaby which sends me deeper into calm reflection. The words on each is emotional poetry, the music tranquil and soulfull, and Toms voice, like velvet and sandpaper.. unique.. nope, no contest, all 3 win.
Ruby's Arms,If I have to go,Kentucky,Take Me home.,I am Steel Here...It is just pure beauty..I try to play it on piano and sing,but my voice is horrible.... Very sad...
+Jaro Glodek I can never get through Kentucky Avenue without tears. I was born same year as tom and knew the polio scare in the 50's and have a lady friend who got it before she could get inoculated.
It has been a few years, now, since I commented on the song, and in all of that time, I had a feeling that I would be back to listen to it just before I committed suicide. Now that I am going to, within the hour, all things considered, it is not a bad song to sign off on. Thank you, mister Waits. And thank you, Kathleen, for introducing me to this wondrous man.
my god stunning tune by top man if my last couple days on gods great earth where listening to tom waites would go to meet big man in sky happy very happy
DON'T SAW OFF RUBY'S ARMS ! THAT WON'T DO! HOW WILL WE SLIDE DOWN ? MAN I LOVE YOUR COMPASSION ! TOM YOU KILL ME WHERE IT REALLY COUNTS ! YOU ARE THE MOST GIFTED !
I wish she hadn't been, but the first girl I ever loved was called Ruby. Years go by and I don't miss her, but I still think of her on occasion. She hurt me so much. Crazy how someone you love and can't imagine hurting anyone, can prove you so wrong..
[Verse 1] I will leave behind all of my clothes I wore when I was with you All I needs my railroad boots and my leather jacket [Chorus] As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms although my heart is breaking I will steal away out through your blinds for soon you will be waking [Verse 2] The morning light has washed your face and everything is turning blue now Hold on to your pillowcase there's nothing I can do now [Chorus] As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms you'll find another soldier And I swear to god by Christmas time there'll be someone else to hold you [Bridge] The only thing I'm taking is the scarf off of your clothesline I'll hurry past your chest of drawers and your broken wind chimes [Chorus] As I say goodbye I say goodbye I say goodbye to Ruby's arms [Verse 3] I will feel my way down the darkened hall and out into the morning The hobos at the freight yards have kept their fires burning So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain will someone put me on a train I'll never kiss your lips again or break your heart [Outro] As I say goodbye I say goodbye I say goodbye to Ruby's arms
...'The only thing I'm taking is the scarf of off your clothesline I'll hurry past your chest of drawers, And your broken windchimes'... Damn~ This song is about an 8.5 magnitude emotional earthquake... Absolutely devastating.
Ivan Smrcek I know where you're coming from, but personally I would choose modern names if I ever had a baby daughter or three (here is hoping, one day!) I would name them: Tara (pron: Tah-rah), Madison and either Toper or Millie (that is 'Millie', not the full name of 'Millicent."
I lent this album to a woman friend who was on the fence about Waits. A week later she. Gave it back and said " if you meant to bring me to tears, you got it."😊
A girlfriend sent this to me once … Tom steps into reality again. He is a master of capturing the true feelings of life. Then, it seems to me, he gathers them up effortlessly and reminds us of important things … With great artistry …….
I lost my wife/best friend to breast cancer 20 years ago. We both loved Tom Waits. Her name was Rita, four letters beginning with R, just like Ruby. This song is so beautiful that I'm constantly compelled to listen to it, even though it tears me up.
i try explaining to my Love, time is a luxury we simply do not have.
I’m so sorry to read about your loss of Rita. I just had the need to listen to this song, and post came up.
God bless you x
I'm so sorry about your loss. I listened to this nonstop when I lost my husband (also my best friend) and baby, and I still listen to it as the anniversary approaches. That's how I came upon your post here. It's that time of year. I'm so sorry about Rita.
May God bring you comfort. His infinite love will never leave you. May your dear wife, whose spirit has returned to her God, rest in peace until the resurrection. Have faith, you will not be disappointed because our God is not a God who disappoints. The same pain touched me. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because for him all are alive. May the peace and joy of God be upon you.
I like so much this song too.
I'm here because Kazuo Ishiguro, the renowned author mentioned about this song in one of his interviews related with his famous book ' The Remains of the Day'.
Funny! I just finished rereading this book and was relistening to this song -- the line about his heart breaking reminded me of a similar line toward the end of Remains. But reading that book called to mind another Tom Waits song, Martha, which also explores romance and regret.
Me too😊
@@vesnaukickosta4924me three
Me too. I am shattered from reading that novel, devastated. Ishiguro implied that he changed the ending of the story because of listening to this song.
Heartbreakingly beautiful
Tom Waits as usual makes you nostalgic or regretful about pasts you never had. This song is utterly beautiful.
that sums it up
Imagine feeling nostalgic or regretful about pasts I did have. Tom Waits has been with me when my heart was broken, I fell in love, I laughed as if tickled, I stayed out too late and we drove to the wrong side of town, when I sat alone at 1pm in a dark, dusty bar, when I woke up with the wrong man,when I woke up with the wrong man, when I woke up with the wrong man.
He has expanded my heart by giving it lyrics.
And I smile every morning when I call my dog, "HEY PACHUCO!"
Ruth K Beautiful, Ruth. I relate. I've been in those 1 p.m. or 9 a.m. bars, fresh out of jail, and no one to call, a junkies broken promise on my lips.
And I'm glad that I knew him for a minute a hundred years ago.
I smile too, every morning when my dog jumps on my bed, licks my face and I say, "Hey Floyd."
+George Kuhn here's a drink☕️
+Ruth K here's a drink☕️
I was in rehab 2001 and i lost my kids my family my dignity and this song helped bring me back,thanks tom
The only song that has ever made me cry. I first heard it nearly 40 years ago. It still makes me cry.
There are several songs that make me cry. All of them are Tom Waits songs...
MY blessed friend, Keleren, invited someone to sing THIS song, on a lightly rainy outside concert night..K's face, below the stage, floated like a moon, lit with joy. She got to introduce her group of friends to the audience and gosh, it's a beautiful masterpiece of writing.. I love Tom Waits, & K and M, Aways. xoxox Barbara June 2024xoxox
Tom Waits is, without a doubt, one of the great songwriters of our (or anyone's) generation.
yes love "Looking For The Heart of Saturday Nights" He's a fantastic POETxoxox
I will leave behind all of my clothes
I wore when I was with you
All I need's my railroad boots
And my leather jacket
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms
Although my heart is breaking
I will steal away out through your
Blinds for soon you will be waking
The morning light has washed your face
And everything is turning blue now
Hold on to your pillow case
There's nothing I can do now
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms
You'll find another soldier
And I swear to God by Christmas time
There'll be someone else to hold you
The only thing I'm taking is
The scarf off of your clothesline
I'll hurry past your chest of drawers
And your broken window chimes
As I say goodbye
I'll say goodbye
Say goodbye to Ruby's arms
I'll feel my way down the darken hall
And out into the morning
The hobos at the freight yards
Have kept their fires burning
So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain
Will someone put me on a train
I'll never kiss your lips again
Or break your heart
As I say goodbye
I'll say goodbye
Say goodbye to Ruby's arms
Cristian Sanchez
It is so lovely
I read it again
You sing in the
background
sorrows
Cristian Sanchez - Was für ein wunderbarer Text!
Les yeux dans les yeux
Les mains dans les main
Il suffit de s'endormir
oder in Ruby's Arms sein!
🤍
Thanks🙂
Thank you for this.
Indeed sir.
In all the sadness and grief...we still go on..you never know what the next day will bring..may be peace..Thanks Tom for every song you've shared with us
Only musician whose each and every song I love. Tom is my God! ❤️
Always my favorite Waits song. "The morning light has washed your face, and everything is turning blue now. Hold onto your pillowcase, there's nothing I can do now." What a seriously profound lyric.
G'day Bert I'm Tim from Australia...can I ask you a question Sir..in 1978 Tom was on the Don Lane show and played "on the nickel" .. the intro was "watlzing Matilda" ...I just want to know how and why he used waltzing Matilda for the intro mate any truth on this will be very much appreciated .cheers mate
@@timskin69 I can only reply from my own experience as a song writer. We're always looking for a spring board to launch a new song, and we never know where it's going to come from. It is not uncommon to find ourselves borrowing, consciously or unconsciously from existing songs, and, as the saying goes, you have to go with what moves you. When I listen to that particular songs, I get a feeling about the story, that's it's the story of a Pacific Ocean sailor and his travels and travails, so by kicking it off with that reference Tom is setting us up for the background. Incidentally, that is one of my favorite of his very long songs.
Makes me think of my Mom. She died early in the morning, in her bed at the nursing home after a battle with Alzheimer's and COPD. Her hair was spread out around her face like a halo. It was March, and it had snowed the night before. Leaving the nursing home with my brother was so surreal. The sun had come out, and it was so beautiful on the snow. 😢
I was always struck, with the way Waits sings it, that it sounds like "pillow kiss."
The first time I heard it, I thought it was "pillow kiss."
This song tears me up every time.
One of the best songs ever written.
I heard on the radio the other day that Kazuo Ishiguro changed the ending of his novel The Remains of the Day after hearing this song.
This song is a work of a genius .the line "I will never kiss your lips again or break your heart" is just heartbreaking .
Exactly the line I love from this song..that with love comes the risk of pain from departure..wow..The sincerity in all his music is unsurpassed by any artist I have ever heard!
The most beautiful song I've ever heard.
My nr 1
Szabolcs Mátyássy - wonderful words
heartbreaking song in my cab it calms me down pillow kisses someone elses arms
will hold you close yesterday and now
🐓🤍☘️🤍🐓🤍☘️🤍🐓🤍☘️🤍
Landgrüsssse
Because it’s the most beautiful song ever sang
TRY JUNE TABOR
A great song and a great singer.
Check out Nanci Griffith’s cover
This is my favorite song by Tom Waits. It never fails to reach down deep and pull a few tears to the surface. The imagery is incredible!!
*****
As a general rule, I prefer songs that are not overproduced but this one is an exception. The intro with the brass evokes a feeling of agonizing over a difficult decision he must make. Then the brass is countered by the melancholy piano and strings. I would like to hear the live version though!!
*****
Starlett, Do you have a link to Big Time?
benkit49 on the nickel
Just had to hear this song again today … thank you universe for Tom Waits … Nobody can do what he does ...
What an brilliant idea to have a brass quartet together with full symphony ochestra ! A trombonist´s
comment ! Can not listen this one without tears.
We are naming our daughter Ruby and this song is beautiful, just as I hope she will be. Thanks Tom Waits..
Congratulations on your daughter!
"I'll never kiss your lips again.. or break your heart"..What a line!..What that means to me is that with love there is risk..of the pain after departure
This should have been a number one hit....Both sides of the Atlantic. A heart wrenching beautiful song.
"Jesus Christ this goddamn rain
will someone put me on a train"
...
I've got nothing.
I have to say this is one of his best, it has always been my favorite.
I had to listen to this song as my mother dies. "I'll never kiss your lips or break your heart" Sad, but this song helped me a lot. Thank you, Tom✌💗
I listened to Thank You Mama by Sizzla.
A dear friend reminded me of this song. My boyfriend broke my heart and I couldn't stop playing this song for too long, a my best friend reminded me of it, 30 years later. It was all for the good in the end and am married to my true soul mate, but the emotions still come back, just less.... definitely one of the saddest songs written, for me.
When my girlfriend moved out, I played Hang Down Your Head over and over now.
Ruby was my mother's name. She has been gone for five years, and this song makes me
weep. I can't listen to it that often..
you should
Ruby is my grandmother's name. Her beauty was incredible. ..her life not so easy. She died in a car accident. My grandpa had many children with her .. my mom looked like her until alcohol took her from the mom I knew before I was ten. . Ultimately took her life in 2009. I know 2 ruby songs .. Ironically the other mentions paralysis. ..I am a c4 quadriplegic .. to have my grandma's name in that old song.. put a wow in the time I heard it after paralysis. It had been my mom's favorite song throughout my youth.
Ruby is my birthstone. ..Some things have meanings .. meant to be felt...like a beautiful ruby and name named ruby.
Peace to you...
I'm sorry about your Mom & grandmother. You're a brave soul w/a stout heart. Be at Peace.
Wow, I can imagine that. Hopefully there'll come a time you can listen to it again and be proud of your mom, being the subject of one of Toms greatest songs.
Making me cry in the laundromat. 😭
favorite waits song when i'm drunk and down in the dumps, this song like many of his got me through brutally tough times
I lost my brother and best friend Ruben this April... This song makes me cry everytime, cause it touches my soul, and I'll never have Ruby's arms around my shoulder
I'm so sorry for the loss of your "Ruby". I hope you find solace in your happy memories of him.
My favorite stage of my favorite artist. Not a wasted note, no cheap emotion. I can cry and smile at the same time.
Tom's always been a master of writing from the perspective of different characters, I'm surprised that there haven't been many comments about how this song is from a perspective of the ghost of a dead soldier saying goodbye to his widowed lover. Its such a beautifully crafted song and as always, his voice and the music compliment the tone of the lyrics masterfully.
That is some nimble ghost who can pilfer head scarves!
I think this song means so much to so many different people.The song means something different to me. To me it's breaking up a dying relationship despite having a profound love for that person. That's the beautiful thing about Tom, his lyrics penetrate our perspectives and sing to us each individually, we make up the rest and therein lies his genius.
Or,a soldier ,torn from his lover. Leaving in the early dawn to ease a heartbreak.
My absolute favourite is Green Grass.A song written from the perspective of a corpse under the ground.....wow!
@@syarbery6756 1: 'I will steal away out through your Blinds'. 2: Scarf; things get pilfered by the wind. 3: Which rulebook on the etiquette of ghosts do you use &, do all ghosts, let alone the writers, follow it?
But even without the ghost imagery it stands up just as well as a straight, typical, beautiful Waitsien, man leaves lover tale...
The first time I saw my dad cry was when his sister,Ruby,died. The again when his daughter,Grace,died. Then,the last time,when he was dying. Ruby Grace is now a name I hold deep inside.
Been a huge fan since the early ‘70’s…nobody writes like Tom Waits. He can just grab every emotion you have and squeeze it like a sponge.
This is a gorgeous, emotional song. Gorgeous.
Tom is simply incredible.
His emotion and reality touch the soul.
Thank you Tommy !
My favorite too. This and 'On a Nickle .'
just stunning gets better like fine wine as years pass
Makes my cry every time
the end chorus is so beautiful ...
So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain
Will someone put me on a train
I'll never kiss your lips again
Or break your heart
As I say goodbye
I'll say goodbye
Say goodbye to Ruby's arms
Heartbreaking beautiful song.
Truly a legend and one of my fav songs ever ❤
One of Tom's most gorgeous ballads. Almost feels like him waving farewell to his 70s era of music.
sounds like he has lived this story. fabulous melody. and back up. overlooked artist.
Read this elsewhere "He's stealing away through her window blinds. A person couldn't do that. She's holding her pillow, indicating that he hadn't spent the night with her. Darkened hall, hobos keeping fires burning is the light at the end of the tunnel. The wind took her scarf off the clothesline, disturbed the wind chimes as his spirit passed. I never put it all together until I read your comment. You're right, he's a Soldier who has died in war, come to say his last goodbye to his love." Can't believe I never saw this. Of course he takes her scarf, a champion always wore his Ladys colors.
Thanks for this explanation which makes it even more poignant. ❤
Really though, it is nothing to do with soldiers, dead or otherwise. A couple of people have kindly transcribed the lyrics for us and have misheard the words, thinking it says "You'll find another soldier". Listen again. The word is obviously "suitor". There's nothing within the context of the song that suggests any connection with the military. The guy is a taking the coward's way out of a relationship that he can't handle by slipping out before she wakes up. That's part of what makes it so poignant and beautiful.
@@chriscameron4798
@@chriscameron4798 The morning light has washed your face
And everything is turning blue now
Hold on to your pillow case
There's nothing I can do now
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms
You'll find another soldier
And I swear to God by Christmastime
There'll be someone else to hold you
Am I crying? Yes.
Did I click "replay?" Yes.
I'm living these lyrics... her name's Ruby and everything.
I hope it goes best for you man. Sincerely.
I hope it's still going man. even if i don't know you.
i think it should be noted that Tom Waits' songs are one of the few things on youtube which no one can say shit about. Even haters can't hate Tom Waits.
I just got out of a relationship with a Ruby, and it feels like Tom is talking directly to me. devastatingly sad and beautiful like all of his ballads
am here because of Kazuo Ishiguro
Mohamed Bouabdellah - me too!
me three 😀
me four :)
yes!
Me too :-)
all you need is Tom -Van - Leonard. All their music.and shut the door on this crazy world.
Beautiful, understated , felt.
This is straight butter...a master song writer...
Lost the "love of my life" to drugs, at the same time i first heard this in the early 90´th. Arwwgh.....How did Tom Know?
My absolute fav Waits song,although EVERY fuckin song on this album is golden,this one moves me to tears every time.......The only good thing my first husband turned me onto was this L.P.
You're welcome.
Lmbo.
Tom Waits is America's greatest songwriter.
Just good old-fashoned song writing … Tom is a special artist - with rare rough beauty implied in every note ...
Woke this morning with this playing in my head.
“But in all of the sadness, when you’re feeling that your heart is empty, and lacking,
You’ve got to remember that grief isn’t the absence of love.
Grief is the proof that love is still there.”
Tessa Shaffer, Heaven Has No Regrets
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Will
Well said.
Pure genius !!
creative genius
i love this song. there's no blame, no nastiness, not even a reason given. its just time for him to go. and thats him off. genius
Perfect rainy Sunday morning music.
So sad andere so beautiful it hurts .
Lyrics
I will leave behind all of my clothes
I wore when I was with you.
All I needs are my railroad boots
And my leather jacket.
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms...
Although my heart is breaking
I will steal away out through your blinds
For soon you will be waking.
Morning light has washed your face
And everything is turning blue now.
I hold on to your pillow case.
There's nothing that I can do now.
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms
You'll find another soldier.
And I swear to God by Christmas time
There'll be someone else to hold you.
The only thing I'm taking is
The scarf off of your clothesline.
I'll hurry past your chest of drawers
And your broken wind chimes.
As I say goodbye, I say goodbye
Say goodbye to Ruby's arms.
I will feel my way down the darkened hall
And out into the morning.
The hobos in the freight yards
Have kept their fires burning.
Said, "Jesus Christ, this god damn rain."
Will someone put me on a train?
I'll never kiss your lips again
Or break your heart.
As I say goodbye, I say goodbye
Say goodbye to Ruby's arms.
oh Hell, i can't decide between Ruby's arms, Martha or lullaby which sends me deeper into calm reflection. The words on each is emotional poetry, the music tranquil and soulfull, and Toms voice, like velvet and sandpaper.. unique.. nope, no contest, all 3 win.
It's one of those songs that I can play over & over again and not get bored. it has it's flaws but I love this song and the way he sings it .
Saddest song i've ever heard.. amazing
Saddest song ever written.
Ruby's Arms. What a sad, sad song. Music is meant to move. His songs move me so much. There are times when no other music will do. Like now.
Well,Tom is just one and only..This song makes me crying every time,like Kentucky Avenue,or If I Can to Go...
Jaro Glodek What about "If I Have To Go"? That at least ranks high on your list, I hope.
+harkeill agree with u
Ruby's Arms,If I have to go,Kentucky,Take Me home.,I am Steel Here...It is just pure beauty..I try to play it on piano and sing,but my voice is horrible.... Very sad...
+Jaro Glodek I can never get through Kentucky Avenue without tears. I was born same year as tom and knew the polio scare in the 50's and have a lady friend who got it before she could get inoculated.
Absolutely beautiful!
Just beautiful.
It has been a few years, now, since I commented on the song, and in all of that time, I had a feeling that I would be back to listen to it just before I committed suicide. Now that I am going to, within the hour, all things considered, it is not a bad song to sign off on. Thank you, mister Waits. And thank you, Kathleen, for introducing me to this wondrous man.
harkeill I know that I don't know you but I know all to well what it is like to want to die more than anything. please tell me you didn't do this
my god stunning tune by top man if my last couple days on gods great earth where listening to tom waites would go to meet big man in sky happy very happy
DON'T SAW OFF RUBY'S ARMS ! THAT WON'T DO! HOW WILL WE SLIDE DOWN ? MAN I LOVE YOUR COMPASSION ! TOM YOU KILL ME WHERE IT REALLY COUNTS ! YOU ARE THE MOST GIFTED !
One of our great poets.
fantastic thank you tom waits
evry day i find something new together with TOM WAITS.chris from sweden
Heard once upon a time that this is considered the saddest song ever written
gut-wrenching...like nothing ive ever felt...and everything all at once.
#wordsfailme
Bar none my favorite artist of all time...time time time.......even Thomas Jefferson. over . . . skull and crossbones ring that golden bell man
Jesus christ this goddamn rain, will someone put me on a train. Tam. Fuckin' wow.
One of my many favourites of his pieces .
I wish she hadn't been, but the first girl I ever loved was called Ruby. Years go by and I don't miss her, but I still think of her on occasion. She hurt me so much. Crazy how someone you love and can't imagine hurting anyone, can prove you so wrong..
Heartbreaking beautiful....
stunning beautiful, my favorite
[Verse 1]
I will leave behind all of my clothes I wore when I was with you
All I needs my railroad boots and my leather jacket
[Chorus]
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms although my heart is breaking
I will steal away out through your blinds for soon you will be waking
[Verse 2]
The morning light has washed your face and everything is turning blue now
Hold on to your pillowcase there's nothing I can do now
[Chorus]
As I say goodbye to Ruby's arms you'll find another soldier
And I swear to god by Christmas time there'll be someone else to hold you
[Bridge]
The only thing I'm taking is the scarf off of your clothesline
I'll hurry past your chest of drawers and your broken wind chimes
[Chorus]
As I say goodbye I say goodbye I say goodbye to
Ruby's arms
[Verse 3]
I will feel my way down the darkened hall and out into the morning
The hobos at the freight yards have kept their fires burning
So Jesus Christ this goddamn rain will someone put me on a train
I'll never kiss your lips again or break your heart
[Outro]
As I say goodbye I say goodbye I say goodbye to
Ruby's arms
...'The only thing I'm taking is
the scarf of off your clothesline
I'll hurry past your chest of drawers,
And your broken windchimes'...
Damn~ This song is about an 8.5 magnitude emotional earthquake...
Absolutely devastating.
If I ever had daughters I'd call them Martha, Muriel and Ruby
+Ivan Smrcek or Alice, Ruby and Matilda.....
+Ivan Smrcek
and Rosie
+Ivan Smrcek only problem is most people will hear Ruby and shout ''RUBY RUBY RUBAAAYYY'' and we'll all die a little everytime
+Ivan Smrcek or Filipino Box Spring Hog
Ivan Smrcek I know where you're coming from, but personally I would choose modern names if I ever had a baby daughter or three (here is hoping, one day!) I would name them: Tara (pron: Tah-rah), Madison and either Toper or Millie (that is 'Millie', not the full name of 'Millicent."
Morning light has washed your face!!
☁️🌸☁️
I lent this album to a woman friend who was on the fence about Waits. A week later she. Gave it back and said " if you meant to bring me to tears, you got it."😊
No one listens to the words anymore most. underappreciated lyric that l know of
This song and On the Nickle are masterpieces.
もうトム最高❗
本当ええ歌だわぁ～❗
Been there, Tom. Know that. Next to "on the Nickel" : this is the best you've ever written and performed.
I’m sorry for your loss
Pure Genius
It's not gonna get played in the club, but it's the human beings, making these songs, that make life more, barable :)
To the Master torch song writer, singer of our times, wished Amy Winehouse lived long enough to have song with this master of the blue flame.yeah!
Captsquidbrains please tell me what master of the blue flame means because it sounds amazing!
Wow ! Wouldnt it have been something ?
A girlfriend sent this to me once … Tom steps into reality again. He is a master of capturing the true feelings of life. Then, it seems to me, he gathers them up effortlessly and reminds us of important things … With great artistry …….
Kazuo Ishiguro's Nobel speech brought me here.
Ditto!
me too
It's been suggested that the narrator is the ghost of a dead soldier who has kept a vigil over his sleeping widow. there are clues in the lyrics
Hence the "Chorale" passages that weave in and out...another "marker" that there's a deathly angle to the story...