Rueben James

by Kenny Rogers

C                  G7                 C     

Rueben James in my song you'll live a gain

        F              C      

And the phrases that I rhyme

             G7              C     

Are just the footsteps out-a time

       F           C    G7     C      

From a time when I knew Rueben James

                                          G7                 C     

Rueben James all the folks around Madison County cussed your name

       F                         C            

Just a no account share-cropping colored man

    G7                C    

Who steal anything he can

    F                  C        G7     C      

And everybody laid the blame on Rueben James

       F                                             C     

Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my mind

      F                     

Faded shirt weathered brow

         C                    

Callused hands upon the plow

            F                       G7     C      

I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James

                                   G7               C      

Flora Graves the gossip of Madison County died with child

      F                    C      

And although your skin was black

             G7                       C     

You were the one who didn't turn your back

     F                       C       G7     C      

On a hungry white child with no name Rueben James

       C                                     G7                  C     

Rueben James with your mind on my soul and a bible in your right hand

         F              C      

You said turn the other cheek

          G7                           C     

There's a better world waiting for the meek

      F                   C         G7     C      

In my mind these words re main from Rueben James

Repeat #3

       F                                             C     

Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my mind

      F                     

Faded shirt weathered brow

         C                    

Callused hands upon the plow

            F                       G7     C      

I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James

                                      G7                   C      

Rueben James one dark cloudy day they brought you from the field

            F               C     

And to your lonely pine box came

       G7                  C     

Just a preacher me and the rain

   F             C           G7     C      

To sing one last refrain for Rueben James