Rueben James, in my song you live again
And the phrase that I rhyme
Are just the footstep out of time
From the time when I knew you, Rueben James

Rueben James, all the folks around
Hadison County cussed your name
You're just a no count sharecropping colored man
You'd steal anything you can
And everybody laid the blame on Rueben James

Rueben James, for still walk over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Call used hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Rueben James

Flora Graves the gossiper of Hadison County
Died with child although your skin was black
You were the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name, Rueben James

Rueben James, with your mind on my soul
And a bible in your right hand, you said turn the other cheek
For there's a better world awaiting for the meek
In my mind these words remain from Rueben James

Rueben James, for still walk over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Callused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now, Rueben James

Rueben James one dark cloudy day
They brought you from the field and to your lonely pine box
Came just a preacher, me and the rain
Just to sing one last refrain to Rueben James

Rueben James, for still walk over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Callused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now Rueben James

Rueben James, for still walk over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Callused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now Rueben James