Reuben James Wanda Jackson

Reuben James, in my song, you live again
And the phrases that I rhyme are just footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you, Reuben James

Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County
Cussed your name
Just a no-count sharecroppin' black man
Who'd steal anything that he can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James

Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow, calloused hands upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James

Flora Gray, 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 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
There's a better world waitin' for me
In my mind, these words remain from Reuben James

Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow, calloused hands upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James