Reuben James
Kenny Rogers Lyrics
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And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Ruben James
Ruben James all the folks around Madison County
Cussed your name just a no
Count share croppin colored man
And they always laid the blame on Ruben James
Ruben James, you still walk furrowed fields on my mind
The faded skirt the weathered brow
The calloused hand up on the plow
I loved you then and I love you now Ruben James
Flora James, Ruben James
Gray, a gossip of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
It was you that would not turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name, Ruben James
Ruben James, with your mind on my soul
And the bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
A better world is a waiting for the meek
In my head those words remain from Ruben James
Ruben James one dark cloudy day
That brought you from the fields
And to your lonely pine box came
Just a preacher, me and the rain
To sing one last refrain for Ruben James
In Kenny Rogers's song Ruben James, he is paying tribute to a person named Ruben James who had been an influential figure in his life. Rogers reminisces about the past and remembers Ruben James as someone who was blamed for everything wrong that happened in Madison County. But in Rogers's eyes, Ruben James was a good man who would not turn away anyone in need, even if it meant helping a hungry white child without a name. The song expresses the deep affection Rogers had for Ruben James, which he still feels even after his death.
Line by Line Meaning
Ruben James, in my song you live again
The song I sing is about reliving moments I had with Ruben James.
And the phrases that I rhyme
I use lyrics that are familiar and telling about Ruben James.
Are just the footsteps out of time
The lyrics of my song are nostalgic echoes of long gone days with Ruben James.
From the time when I knew you Ruben James
The song is about a relationship I had with Ruben James which was significant to my life.
Ruben James all the folks around Madison County
People in Madison County used to know about Ruben James.
Cussed your name just a no
Madison County folk used to call Ruben James a worthless man.
Count share croppin colored man
Ruben James was a sharecropper and black.
Who would steal anything he can
According to the stereotype propagated against black people, Ruben James was a thief.
And they always laid the blame on Ruben James
He was held responsible for things that he had no control over.
Ruben James, you still walk furrowed fields on my mind
Ruben James’s memories still occupy a significant place in my thoughts.
The faded skirt the weathered brow
Images of Ruben James’s hardworking spirit and physical appearance linger in my mind.
The calloused hand up on the plow
The calloused hands of Ruben James symbolize his hard work.
I loved you then and I love you now Ruben James
I still cherish the bond we shared, and it is as significant today as it was then.
Flora James, Ruben James
The bond between me and Ruben James was so pure that Flora James and Ruben James rhyme.
Gray, a gossip of Madison County died with child
Gray, a rumormonger in Madison County, passed away while pregnant.
And although your skin was black
Despite being black, you showed a good heart.
It was you that would not turn your back
Ruben James did not hesitate to help, no matter the color or status of the people who needed help.
On a hungry white child with no name, Ruben James
When a white child was starving, Ruben James came to help even when there was nobody else.
Ruben James, with your mind on my soul
Your thoughts and concepts still continue to inspire me, Ruben James.
And the bible in your right hand
You were a religious man, always holding a bible in your right hand.
You said turn the other cheek
You taught to forgive and to not seek revenge when someone wrongs you.
A better world is a waiting for the meek
You believed that in the end, it is the humble and kind people who will have a better world.
In my head those words remain from Ruben James
Ruben James’s words of kindness inspire me always.
Ruben James one dark cloudy day
On a muggy and cloudy day, Ruben James passed away.
That brought you from the fields
His death relieved him from years of hardship and laborious work.
And to your lonely pine box came
Ruben James had a humble funeral.
Just a preacher, me and the rain
Only a preacher, myself, and the rain arrived to pay our final respects to Ruben James.
To sing one last refrain for Ruben James
We sang for the last time for Ruben James.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Harvey, Barry Etris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnlobuin4212
R. I. P our father, brother, Kenny Rodgers till we meet again. Your inspiration will never go a way from our minds.
@marthaletherwood3671
More talent in that pair than 90% of today's singers! Wish I could go see them in concert, but this will do!
@larrybill2661
l agree with you, indeed Kenny Rogers is a great and
talented artist who's songs never goes out of style,
he's one of my favorites artist, he's songs still and
always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of
beautiful days.
@musiccollector
AMEN!!!!!
@debprescott751
Amen!!!!!
@NinoManaog
Along with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," "Lucille" and "The Gambler", this is one of the best ballads that you will not forget; yes, as long as you live.
Kenny Rogers lives on.
@melorafoy7109
My favorites are this, Just Dropped in and Ruby. I'm not a big country fan overall.
@angelfoxx2362
"Coward of the county" is a really good song too
@montanaskies2702
Blaze of Glory to
@jimrhodes7881
i love to sing his songs, but i find this one hard to sing . it definitely needs a lot of practice on my part.