"Reuben James"

written by Barry Etris

Reuben James,
In my song you’ll 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.
Just a no ‘count share-cropping colored man
Who would steal anything he can,
And everybody laid the blame
On Reuben James.

Reuben James,
You still walk the furrowed 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 Gray,
The gossip 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,
There’s a better world a-waiting for the meek.”
In my mind these words remain
From Reuben James.

Reuben James,
You still walk the furrowed 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.

Reuben James,
One dark cloudy day they brought you from the field.
Until your lonely pine box came,
Just a preacher, me, and the rain
Just to sing one last refrain
For Reuben James.

Reuben James,
You still walk the furrowed 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.