/ D / A7 / D
Rueben / James in my / song you'll live a / gain, and
/ G / D
The / phrases that I / rhyme,
/ A7 / D
Are just / footsteps out-a / time,
/ G / D / A7 - D
From a / time when I / knew you / Rueben James.
/ D / A7 / D
Rueben / James all the folks around Madison / County cussed your / name.
/ G / D
Just a / no account share-cropper / colored man,
/ A7 / D
Who'd / steal anything he / can, and
G / D / A7 - D
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
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
/ C / D
Loved you / then and I love you now Rueben / James.
/ D / A7 / D
Flora / Graves the gossip of Madison / County died with / child, and
/ G / D
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, / and
/ 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
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
/ C / D
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,and
/ A / E
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 / D
Rueben / James you still walk the fertile fields of my / mind,
/ A
Faded / shirt weathered brow,
/ E
Calloused / hands upon the plow'
/ D / E
Loved you / then and I love you now Rueben / James.
Repeat Chorus and fade out.
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research.