Reuben James

Reuben James
In my song you'll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just the footsteps out of time
Of the time when I knew you
Reuben James

Hey, Reuben James
All the folks around Madison County cursed your name
Just a no count of colored man
Who'd steal anything he can
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James

Hey, Reuben James
You still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now
Reuben James

Hey, Flora Gray
Well, the gossip of Madison County died with the child
And although your skin was black
It was you that didn't turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name
Reuben James

Hey, Reuben James
With your mind on my soul and Bible in your right hand
You said you turn the other cheek
There's a better world waitin' for the meek
In my head those words remain
Reuben James

Hey, Reuben James
You still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now
Reuben James

Oh, Reuben James
One dark cloud, the day they brought you from the fields
And that lonely pine box came
Just a preacher me and the rain
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James, singin'

Oh, Reuben James
You still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now
Reuben James (sing it children)

Oh, Reuben James
You still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now