Reuben James, in my song you live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just a footstep 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-count, sharecropping colored man
You'd steal anything you can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk over fields of my mind
The faded shirt, weathered brow,
The calloused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with child
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 the soul
And a bottle in your right hand you said "Turn the other cheek
For there's a better world awaiting for the meek"
In my mind, these words remain from Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk over fields of my mind
The faded shirt, weathered brow,
The calloused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
Reuben James, one dark cloudy day
They brought you from the field
And to your lonely pine box came
Just a preacher, me and the rain
Just to sing one last refrain to Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk over fields of my mind
The faded shirt, weathered brow,
The calloused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk over fields of my mind
The faded shirt, weathered brow,
The calloused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James