Ruben James

Intro E

E

Reuben James

B E

In my song you'll live again

A E

And the phrases that I rhyme

B E

Are just footsteps outta time

A E B E

From a time when I knew you, Reuben James

E

Reuben James,

B E

All the folks around Madison County cussed your name

A E

Just a no account share-cropper coloured man

B E

Who'd steal anything he can

A E B E

And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

Chorus

A

Reuben James

E

You still walk the fertile fields of my mind

A

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

E

The calloused hands upon the plough

D A E

Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben

James

E

Flora Graves,

B E

The gossip of Madison County died with child

A E

And although your skin was black

B E

You were the one who didn't turn your back

A E B E

On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James

E

Reuben James,

B E

With your mind on my soul and a bible in your right hand

A E

And you said turn the other cheek

B E

There's a better world waitin' for the meek

A E B E

In my mind these words remain from Reuben James

Repeat chorus

A

Reuben James

E

You still walk the fertile fields of my mind

A

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

E

The calloused hands upon the plough

D A E

Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

Third verse key change F

(if you can swing it, otherwise keep in key of E)

F

Reuben James,

C F

One dark cloudy day they brought you from the field

Bb F

And to your lonely pine box came

C F

Just a preacher me and the rain

Bb F C F

To sing one last refrain for Reuben James

Chorus x 2

Bb

Reuben James

F

You still walk the fertile fields of my mind

Bb

The faded shirt, the weathered brow

F

The calloused hands upon the plough

Eb Bb F

Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James