Reuben James

In my song you live again

And the phrase 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 Hadison 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

Faded shirt, weathered brow

Colored hands upon the plow

Loved you then and I love you now



Reuben James

For a grave

The gossiper of Hadison County died with chide

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 one dark cloudy day

They brought you from the field

And to your lonely crambox

Came just a preacher

Me and the rain

Just to sing one last refrain to Reuben James