Reuben James

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 Who would steal anything he can And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James Reuben James, you still walk over fields of my mind Faded shirt, weathered brow, the calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James For a grave, the gossiper of Madison County died with child And 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, and with your mind on the soul And a Bible 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, you still walk over fields of my mind Faded shirt, the weathered brow, the calloused hands upon the plow I 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 And just a preacher, me and the rain Just to sing one last refrain to Reuben James Reuben James, you still walk over fields of my mind Faded shirt, the weathered brow, the calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James Reuben James, you still walk over fields of my mind Faded shirt, the weathered brow, the calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James