Reuben James

[Verse 1]
Reuben James, in my song, you live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just footsteps out of time
From the time when I first knew you, Reuben James
Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County cursed your name
Just a no-account, share-croppin' colored man
Who would steal anything he can
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James

[Chorus]
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

[Verse 2]
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with a child
And although your skin was black
It was you that didn't turn your back
On a hungry, white child with no name, Reuben James
Reuben James, with your mind on my soul and The Bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
A better world is a-waiting for the meek
In my head, those words remain, from Reuben James

[Chorus]
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James

[Bridge]
Reuben James, one dark, cloudy day
They brought you from the fields
And to your lonely pine box came
Just a preacher, me and the rain
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James

[Outro]
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James