Rueben James
Reuben James: A Timeless Tale of Compassion and Courage
Lyrics
Reuben James in my song you'll live again
Reuben James is immortalized in the speaker's song.
And the phrases that I rhyme
The lyrics and rhymes reflect moments from the past.
Are just footsteps out of time
These reflections are like footsteps marking the passage of time.
From the time when I knew you, Reuben James
The speaker reminisces about a time when they knew Reuben James.
Reuben James all the folks around Madison County cussed your name
Reuben James faced criticism from people in Madison County.
Just a no count share croppin' colored man
He is described as a disadvantaged African American sharecropper.
Who'd steal anything that he can
Accusations of theft were common against Reuben James.
And they always laid the blame on, Reuben James
The blame for various wrongs was consistently placed on Reuben James.
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Reuben James is remembered, still present in the speaker's thoughts.
The faded shirt, the wrinkled brow
Description of Reuben James's physical appearance and labor.
The calloused hand upon the plow
Emphasis on Reuben James's hardworking hands on the plow.
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
The speaker expresses enduring love for Reuben James.
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with the child
Reference to Flora Gray and the community's gossip.
And although your skin was black
Despite racial differences, Reuben James supported a needy white child.
You were the one who didn't turn your back
He didn't turn away from a child in need.
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James
Reuben James helped a nameless, hungry white child.
Reuben James with your mind on my soul and Bible in your right hand
Reuben James is associated with spirituality and moral guidance.
You said turn the other cheek
Quoted words of Reuben James about turning the other cheek.
There's a better land waitin' for the meek
Belief in a better land for the humble and meek.
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James
The speaker holds onto Reuben James's wise words in their mind.
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Repetition of the enduring presence of Reuben James in the speaker's thoughts.
The faded shirt, the wrinkled brow
Reiteration of Reuben James's physical attributes and labor.
The calloused hand upon the plow
Emphasis on the enduring memory of Reuben James's hardworking hands.
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
Continued expression of love for Reuben James.
Reuben James, one cold dark day, they brought you from the fields
Describes the day Reuben James was brought from the fields, presumably deceased.
And to your lonely pine box came
Reference to Reuben James's humble pine box at the funeral.
Just a preacher, me and the rain
Only a preacher, the speaker, and the rain were present to mourn Reuben James.
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James
A final song is sung as a tribute to Reuben James.
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Repetition of the enduring presence of Reuben James in the speaker's thoughts.
The faded shirt, the wrinkled brow
Reiteration of Reuben James's physical attributes and labor.
The calloused hand upon the plow
Emphasis on the enduring memory of Reuben James's hardworking hands.
I loved you then and I love you now, Reuben James
Final expression of love for Reuben James.
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