RUEBEN JAMES
Performed by Kenny Rogers

Rueben (D) James in my (A7) song youll live a (D) gain
And the (G) phrases that I  (D) rhyme
Are just the (A7) footsteps out-a  (D) time
From a  (G) time when I (D) knew (A7) Rueben  (D) James

Rueben (D) James all the folks around Madison (A7) County cussed your (D) name
Just a (G) no account share-croppin (D) colored man
Who (A7) steal anything he (D) can
And  (G) everybody laid the (D) blame on (A7) Rueben (D) James

    Rueben (G) James you still walk the fertile fields of my  (D) mind
    Faded (G) shirt weathered brow 
    Callused (D) hands upon the plow
    I loved you (C) then and I love you now Rueben (D) James

Flora (D) Graves the gossip of Madison (A7) County died with (D) child
And al (G) though your skin was (D) black
You were the (A7) one who didnt turn your (D) back
On a (G) hungry white child with (D) no name (A7) Rueben (D) James

Rueben (D) James with your mind on my soul and a (A7) bible in your right (D) 
hand
You said (G) turn the other (D) cheek
Theres a (A7) better world waitin for the (D) meek
In my (G) mind these words re (D) main from (A7) Rueben (D) James

    Rueben (G) James you still walk the fertile fields of my  (D) mind
    Faded (G) shirt weathered brow 
    Callused (D) hands upon the plow
    I loved you (C) then and I love you now Rueben (D) James

Rueben (E) James one dark cloudy day they (B7) brought you from the (E) field
And to your (A) lonely pine box (E) came
Just a (B7) preacher me and the (E) rain
To (A) sing one last re (E) frain for (B7) Rueben (E) James

    Rueben (A) James you still walk the fertile fields of my  (E) mind
    Faded (A) shirt weathered brow 
    Callused (E) hands upon the plow
    I loved you (D) then and I love you now Rueben (E) James

Repeat Chorus and fade out.

Disclaimer: As usual, not sure of the correct key or if all chords are 
perfect, but its a
start.

Have fun.

H. Lee Rankin