Reuben James

Ruben 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, Ruben James Ruben James, all the folks around Madison County Cussed your name just a no count share croppin' colored man Who would steal anything he can And they always laid the blame on Ruben James Ruben James, you still walk the furrowed fields on my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hand up on the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Ruben James Flora Gray, a gossip of Madison County died with child And although your skin was black You were the one that didn't turn your back On a hungry white child with no name, Ruben James Ruben James, with your mind on my soul And the bible in your right hand You said turn the other cheek A there's a better world is a waiting for the meek In my head these words remain from a Ruben James Ruben James, you still walk the furrowed fields on my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hand up on the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Ruben James Ruben James one dark cloudy day That 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 Ruben James Ruben James, you still walk the furrowed fields on my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hand up on the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Ruben James Ruben James, you still walk the furrowed fields on my mind The faded shirt, the weathered brow The calloused hand up on the plow I loved you then and I love you now, Ruben James