D A7 D Rueben James in my song youll live a gain G D And the phrases that I rhyme A7 D Are just the footsteps out-a time G D A7 D From a time when I knew Rueben James D A7 D Rueben James all the folks around Madison County cussed your name G D Just a no account share-croppin colored man A7 D Who steal anything he can G D A7 D And 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 Callused hands upon the plow C D I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James D A7 D Flora Graves the gossip of Madison County died with child G D And 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 hand 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 Callused hands upon the plow C D I 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 A E And 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 E Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my mind A Faded shirt weathered brow E Callused hands upon the plow D E I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James Repeat Chorus and fade out.
