Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
Manned by hard fighting men of both honor and fame
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the Land of the Free
But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea.

Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

'Twas there in the dark of that uncertain night
That we watched for the you-boats and waited for a fight.
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion roar
And they laid the Reuben James on the cold ocean floor.

Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright.
In the farms and the cities they are telling of this fight.
Now our mighty battleships will steam the bounding main
And remember the name of the good Reuben James.

Tell me what were their names, what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names, tell me what were their names,
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?