Reuben James by Kenny Rogers
Written by Kenny Rogers
From Kenny Rogers and the First Edition 1977
Original Key is E
Tabbed by Kellie G (Autobahn)

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                  Ab          F
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

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