v.1
^--Reuben ^GJames, in my ^Dsong you'll live a^Ggain
And the ^Cphrases that I ^Grhyme
Are just the ^Dfootsteps outta ^Gtime
From the ^Ctime when I ^Gknew you, ^DReuben ^GJames

v.2
Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County cussed your name
Just a no-count share-croppin' colored man
Who would steal anything he can
An' everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

Chorus:
Reuben ^CJames, you still walk the furrowed fields of my ^Gmind
Faded ^Cshirt, weathered brow, calloused ^Ghands upon the plow
I loved you ^Fthen and I love you now, Reuben ^GJames

v.3
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
You was the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name, Reuben James

v.4
Reuben James, with your mind on my soul and a Bible in your right hand
You said "turn the other cheek"
"There's a better world a-waitin' for the meek"
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James

Rpt. Ch.

v.5
Reuben James, one dark, cloudy day they brought you from the fields
An' to your lonely pine box came
Just a preacher, me, an the rain
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James

Rpt. Ch. [2t]