Rueben James Lyrics

Reuben James
In my song you live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Reuben James
Reuben James
All the folks around Madison County cussed your name
You're just a no-account, sharecropping colored man
That would steal anything he can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

[Chorus]
Reuben James
You still walk the fertile fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hands upon the plow
I loved you then and I loved you now
Reuben James
Flora Grey
The gossiper of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
You were the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name
Reuben James

Reuben James
With your mind on my soul
And a Bible in your right hand
You said "Turn the other cheek
For there's a better world awaitin' for the meek."
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James
[Reff]

[Key up half step]
Reuben James
One dark cloudy day they brought you from the field
And to your lonely pinebox came
And just a preacher and me in the rain
Just to sing one last refrain for Reuben James

[Reff repeats]