Instrumentally known as “Ruby, My Dear”, 1945.
Words added by Sally Swisher, 1988.
Music by Thelonious Monk.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Ruby, my dear, hold back that tear
I know he’s gone, your love has flown
You’re all alone
Oh, I know you cry, there’s no reply
Pain lingers on, it doesn’t go
‘Cause you say so
One day he came to you
And made the music play in his way
You said you’d rather die than say goodbye
But there’ll come a day, though he’s away
You’ll sing his song
You’ll carry on, Ruby, my dear