D5           A5                D5
Rueben James in my song youll live a gain 
        G5               D5
And the phrases that I  rhyme 
             A5               D5
Are just the footsteps out-a  time 
        G5           D5    A5      D5
From a  time when I knew Rueben  James 
       D5                                  A5                 D5
Rueben James all the folks around Madison County cussed your name 
       G5                        D5
Just a no account share-croppin colored man 
    A5                D5
Who steal anything he can 
     G5                  D5        A5     D5
And  everybody laid the blame on Rueben James 
           G5                                             D5
    Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my mind 
          G5
    Faded shirt weathered brow  
             D5
    Callused hands upon the plow 
                C5                              D5
    I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James 
      D5                            A5               D5
Flora Graves the gossip of Madison County died with child 
       G5                    D5
And al though your skin was black 
             A5                      D5
You were the one who didnt turn your back 
     G5                       D5       A5     D5
On a hungry white child with no name Rueben James 
       D5                                     A5                  D5
Rueben James with your mind on my soul and a bible in your right   

hand 
         G5              D5
You said turn the other cheek 
         A5                          D5
Theres a better world waitin for the meek 
      G5                   D5         A5     D5
In my mind these words re main from Rueben James 
           G5                                              D5
    Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my  mind 
          G5
    Faded shirt weathered brow  
             D5
    Callused hands upon the plow 
                C5                              D5
    I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James 
       E5                              B5                   E5
Rueben James one dark cloudy day they brought you from the field 
            A5               E5
And to your lonely pine box came 
       B5                  E5
Just a preacher me and the rain 
   A5                E5         B5     E5
To sing one last re frain for Rueben James 
           A5                                              E5
    Rueben James you still walk the fertile fields of my  mind 
          A5
    Faded shirt weathered brow  
             E5
    Callused hands upon the plow 
                D5                              E5
    I loved you then and I love you now Rueben James 
 
Repeat Chorus and fade out.