Ruby Madge and Mable
Loretta Lynn · Entertainer of the Year [1973]
Sometimes true love has to choose to do what it don't want to do
And sometimes patience has to give up a hanging on
Darling, I'll be far away and you'll be wishing I had stayed
After Ruby, Madge And Mable send you home.
After Ruby settled down and Madge moved back to her hometown
After Mable says you're a fool, leave me alone
You'll find out how much it hurts and just how much a dream is worth
After Ruby, Madge And Mable send you home.
--- Instrumental ---
You'll find out what lonely mean but you won't find the broken chain
That once bound our love together proud and strong
You start talking to the walls and count every tear that falls
After Ruby, Madge And Mable send you home.
After Ruby settled down and Madge moved back to her hometown
After Mable says you're fool leave me alone
You'll find out how much it hurts and just how much a dream is worth
After Ruby, Madge And Mable send you home...
Ruby Madge and Mable
Loretta Lynn's "Ruby Madge and Mable" stands as a poignant narrative within her extensive body of work, reflecting her signature ability to weave personal struggle into broader social commentary. Recorded for the 1973 album *Entertainer of the Year*, the track exemplifies the country genre's tradition of storytelling, focusing on the resilience of women facing economic hardship and domestic challenges. Lynn's delivery captures the raw emotion of rural life, grounding the song in the authentic voice that defined her career. The recording contributes to her legacy as a chronicler of the American South, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of ordinary people navigating difficult times. As part of her discography from the early 1970s, the song reinforces her status as a pivotal figure in women's country music, blending folk sensibilities with the storytelling prowess that made her a cultural icon.