/ D                 / A7                     / D
Rueben / James in my / song you'll live a / gain, and
      / G                   / D
The / phrases that I / rhyme,
            / A7                   / D
Are just / footsteps out-a / time,
           / G               / D             / A7   -    D
From a / time when I / knew you / Rueben James.

            / D                                                  / A7                          / D
Rueben / James all the folks around Madison / County cussed your / name.
          / G                                   / D
Just a / no account share-cropper / colored man,
          / A7                      / D
Who'd / steal anything he / can, and
G                         / D            / A7   -    D
Everybody laid the / blame on / Rueben James.

            / G                                                            / D
Rueben / James you still walk the fertile fields of my / mind,
          / G
Faded / shirt weathered brow,
               / D
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
                / C                                            / D
Loved you / then and I love you now Rueben / James.

        / D                                          / A7                     / D
Flora / Graves the gossip of Madison / County died with / child, and
    / G                              / D
Al / though your skin was / black,
                    / A7                               / D
You were the / one who didnt turn your / back,
        / G                               / D            / A7   -    D
On a / hungry white child with / no name / Rueben James.

            / D                                                        / A7                       / D
Rueben / James with your mind on my soul and a / bible in your right, / and
              / G                  / D
You said / turn the other / cheek,
              / A7                                / D
Theres a / better world waitin for the / meek,
         / G                              / D             / A7   -    D
In my / mind these words re - / main from / Rueben James.


            / G                                                           / D
Rueben / James you still walk the fertile fields of my / mind,
          / G
Faded / shirt weathered brow,
               / D
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
                / C                                            / D
Loved you / then and I love you now Rueben / James.

            / E                                              / B7                           / E
Rueben / James one dark cloudy day they / brought you from the / field,and
            / A                    / E
To your / lonely pine box / came,
          / B7                           / E
Just a / preacher me and the / rain,
     / A                       / E        / B7    -    E
To / sing one last re - / frain for / Rueben James.

            / A                                                            / D
Rueben / James you still walk the fertile fields of my / mind,
          / A
Faded / shirt weathered brow,
               / E
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
                / D                                            / E
Loved you / then and I love you now Rueben / James.