The Sinking of the Reuben James lyrics

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 at 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

One hundred men went down to that dark and watery grave

When that good ship was sunk only forty four were saved

Twas the last day of October that we saved the forty four

From those dark icy waters by the cold Iceland shore

It was there in the dark of that uncertain night

That we watched for a U-boat and waited for a fight

Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion roar

And they laid the Reuben James on the cold ocean floor

Well, many years have passed since those brave men are gone

And those cold icy waters are still and they're calm

Many years have passed but still I wonder why

The worst of men must fight and the best of men must die