The Reuben James

Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James
Manned by hard fighting men both of honor and of fame
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free
But tonight she's in her grave on the bottom of the sea

Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

It was there in the dark of that uncertain night
We watched for the U-Boats and waited for the fight
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion roar
Then they laid the Reuben James on the cold ocean floor

Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright
In the farms and in the cities they are tellin' of the fight
Once more our mighty battleships will steam the boundin' main
And remember the name of the good Reuben James

Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?