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...