The Sinking Of Reuben James

Chad Mitchell Trio

"Singing Our Minds/Reflecting"





C G7 C

Have you heard of the ship called the good Rueben James?

G7 C

Armed by hard-fighting men both of honor and of fame.

F C

She flew the Stars And Stripes of the land of the free.

G7 C

But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea.





[Chorus:]

C F

Tell me what were their names. Tell me what were their names.

G7 C

Did you have a friend on the good Rueben James?

F

Tell me what were their names. Tell me what were their names.

G7 C

Did you have a friend on the good Rueben James?





One hundred men went down to their dark and watery grave.

When that good ship was sunk, only fourty-four were saved.

T'was the last day of October when they saved the fourty-four

From the dark, icey waters by that cold Iceland shore.



[Chorus]



It was there in the dark of that uncertain night.

That we watched o'er a U-boat, and waited for a fight.

Then the mighty ship was struck, and a great explosion roared,

And they laid the Rueben James on the cold ocean floor.



[Chorus]



[Banjo solo]



We-ll, many years have passed since those brave men are gone.

And those cold, icey waters are sti-ll 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.



[Chorus] twice to finish