Intro E E






Reuben James B E
In my song you'll live again A E
And the phrases that I rhyme B E






Are just footsteps outta time A E B E
From a time when I knew you, Reuben James E






Reuben James, B E
All the folks around Madison County cussed your name A E






Just a no account share-cropper coloured man B E
Who'd steal anything he can A E B E

And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

Chorus A

Reuben James E
You still walk the fertile fields of my mind A
The faded shirt, the weathered brow E

The calloused hands upon the plough D E
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James E






Flora Graves, B E
The gossip of Madison County died with child A E
And although your skin was black B E






You were the one who didn't turn your back A E B E
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James E






Reuben James, B E
With your mind on my soul and a bible in your right hand A E

And you said turn the other cheek B E





There's a better world waitin' for the meek A E B E

In my mind these words remain from Reuben James

Repeat chorus A

Reuben James E
You still walk the fertile fields of my mind A
The faded shirt, the weathered brow E

The calloused hands upon the plough D E
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James


Third verse key change F
(if you can swing it, otherwise keep in key of E) F
Reuben James, C F






One dark cloudy day they brought you from the field Bb F
And to your lonely pine box came C F
Just a preacher me and the rain Bb F C F
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James


Chorus x 2 Bb
Reuben James F
You still walk the fertile fields of my mind Bb
The faded shirt, the weathered brow F

The calloused hands upon the plough Eb F
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James