Lyrics:

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

Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County
Cussed your name
You're just a no-account, sharecropping colored man
Who'd steal anything he can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

CHORUS:
Reuben James, for you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, your weathered brow
Your caloused hands upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

Flora Grey, the gossip of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
You were the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name Reuben James

Reuben 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 Reuben James

(Music goes up a half step in the upcoming last verse)
Reuben James one dark cloudy day they brought you from the field
Until your lonely pinebox came
Or Unto your lonely pinebox came
Just a preacher and me in the rain
Just to sing one last refrain for Reuben James