Reuben James

[Verse 1]

Reuben James, in my song, you live again

And the phrases that I rhyme

Are just footsteps out of time

From the time when I first knew you, Reuben James

Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County cursed your name

Just a no-account, share-croppin' colored man

Who would steal anything he can

And they always laid the blame on Reuben James

[Chorus]

Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

The calloused hand upon the plough

I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

[Verse 2]

Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with a 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

Reuben James, with your mind on my soul and The Bible in your right hand

You said turn the other cheek

A better world is a-waiting for the meek

In my head, those words remain, from Reuben James

[Chorus]

Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

The calloused hand upon the plough

I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James

[Bridge]

Reuben James, one dark, cloudy day

They brought you from the fields

And to your lonely pine box came

Just a preacher, me and the rain

To sing one last refrain for Reuben James

[Outro]

Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

The calloused hand upon the plough

I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James