Rueben James

[Verse 1]
Reuben James
In my song you'll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you, Reuben James

[Verse 2]
Reuben James
All the folks around Madison County cussed your name
Just a no account sharecroppin' colored man
Who would steal anything that 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 wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

[Verse 3]
Flora Gray
The gossip of Madison County died with the child
And although your skin was black
You were the one who didn't turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James

[Verse 4]
Reuben James
With your mind on my soul and Bible in your right hand
You said, "Turn the other cheek
There's a better land waitin' for the meek"
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James

[Chorus]
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

[Verse 5]
Reuben James
One cold dark 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

[Chorus]
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the wrinkled brow
The calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James