Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
Reuben James
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just footsteps out of time
From the time when I first knew you Reuben James
Reuben James all the folks around Madison County
Cursed your name
Just a no-account share-croppin' colored man
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with a child
And although your skin was black
It was you that didn't turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James
Reuben 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 Reuben James
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James
Reuben James one dark cloudy day
They 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 Reuben James
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
The calloused hand upon the plough
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James
The lyrics to Scott Walker's "Reuben James" tell the story of a black sharecropper named Reuben James who is unjustly accused of theft by the white folks in Madison County. Despite the accusations and prejudice against him, Reuben James remains a dignified and compassionate man who helps a white child in need. The singer of the song, who knew Reuben James when he was a child, reflects fondly on his memories of the man and the lessons he taught about forgiveness and hope.
The song is a poignant tribute to a figure who represents the resilience and grace of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It speaks to the universal themes of injustice and kindness that transcend time and place. Through the eyes of the singer, we see the impact that Reuben James had on his life and the community, and how his memory endures long after his passing.
Overall, the lyrics to "Reuben James" are a testament to the power of empathy and compassion to bridge divides and bring people together. It is a song that reminds us that even in the face of hatred and bigotry, there are always those who will stand up for what is right and just.
Line by Line Meaning
Reuben James, in my song you live again
This song is a tribute to Reuben James, who has recently passed away. The song is a way to keep his memory and legacy alive.
And the phrases that I rhyme
The lyrics of this song are a reflection of my memories of Reuben James and the things he taught me.
Are just footsteps out of time
This song is a reminder that Reuben James and the lessons he taught are timeless, and will continue to influence me and others for years to come.
From the time when I first knew you Reuben James
This song is a reflection on the time when I first met Reuben James and the impact he had on my life.
Reuben James all the folks around Madison County
Reuben James was known to many people in Madison County, but not all of them held him in high regard.
Cursed your name
Many people in Madison County held a grudge against Reuben James and spoke ill of him.
Just a no-account share-croppin' colored man
Reuben James was a poor farmer who worked in the fields and was not valued for his hard work and dedication.
Who would steal anything he can
Reuben James was falsely accused of stealing, and this accusation harmed his reputation among the people of Madison County.
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James
Reuben James was often blamed for things that were not his fault, and this caused him to be ostracized from the community.
Reuben James, you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
Reuben James is someone who made a lasting impression on me, and I think of him often.
The faded shirt, the weathered brow
These are physical features of Reuben James that I remember vividly and associate with him.
The calloused hand upon the plough
Reuben James was a hard worker, and his hands showed the evidence of his labor in the fields.
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James
Reuben James was someone I cared about deeply, and my feelings for him continue to this day.
Flora Gray, the gossip of Madison County died with a child
Flora Gray was a person in Madison County who spread rumors and gossip about others. Her influence and negative impact died along with her child.
And although your skin was black
Reuben James was a black man at a time when racism was a pervasive and destructive force in society.
It was you that didn't turn your back
Despite the discrimination and racism he faced, Reuben James was always willing to help others, regardless of their race or background.
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James
Reuben James showed kindness and compassion to a white child who was in need, even though he had no reason to do so.
Reuben James, with your mind on my soul
Reuben James was a deeply spiritual person, and he often spoke and acted with a focus on the spiritual well-being of those around him.
And the Bible in your right hand
Reuben James was a devout Christian who frequently read and studied the Bible.
You said turn the other cheek
Reuben James believed in forgiveness and non-violence, and he encouraged others to follow this same path.
A better world is a-waiting for the meek
Reuben James believed that there was hope for a better future, and that those who were humble and compassionate would be rewarded in the end.
In my head those words remain from Reuben James
Reuben James' words and teachings have stayed with me throughout my life and continue to influence me today.
Reuben James one dark cloudy day
This is the day that Reuben James died, a somber and tragic event.
They brought you from the fields
After Reuben James died, his body was taken from the farm he worked on.
And to your lonely pine box came
Reuben James was buried in a simple, humble pine box.
Just a preacher, me and the rain
Only a few people were present at Reuben James' funeral, including a preacher, myself, and the rain.
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James
This song is the final tribute to Reuben James, a way to honor his life and the impact he had on those who knew him.
Contributed by Elena E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.