Reuben James in my song you'll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Reuben James
Hey Reuben James all the folks around Madison Caunty cussed your name

Just a no count of colored man who'd steal anything that he can
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James
Hey Reuben James you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt the wrinkled brow the calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James

Hey Flora Gray well the gossip of Madison County died with the 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
Hey Reuben James with your mind on my soul and Bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek there's a better world waitin' for the meek
In my head those words remain from Reuben James
Hey Reuben James you still walk...

Oh Reuben James one cold dark day they brought you from the fields
And that lonely pinebox came just a preacher me and the rain
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James
Oh Reuben James you still walk...