Reuben James (Rogers Kenny)

Reuben James In my song you live again And the phrases that I rhyme Are just the footsteps 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-account, sharecropping colored man Who'd steal anything he can And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James CHORUS: Reuben James, You still walk the fertile fields of my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hands upon the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James Flora Grey, 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, With your mind on my 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 [CHORUS] [Music goes up a half step in the upcoming last verse] Reuben James One dark cloudy day they brought you from the field And to your lonely pinebox came Just a preacher and me in the rain Just to sing one last refrain for Reuben James [CHORUS]