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


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


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

Just a no account share-cropper coloured man
Who'd steal anything he can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James


Chorus:


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

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


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


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


Reuben James
With your mind on my soul and a bible in your right hand

And you said turn the other cheek

There's a better world waitin' for the meek

In my mind these words remain from Reuben James

Chorus:


Reuben James
You still walk the fertile fields of my mind

The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hands upon the plough
Loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James


Reuben 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
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James


Chorus:


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

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


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

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