Kenny Rogers - Reuben James

reuben james by kenny rogers
written by kenny rogers
from kenny rogers and the first edition 1977
original key is E
tabbed by kellie G ( autobahn )

intro E

E
reuben james
B E
in my song you’ll live again
A E
and the phrases that i rhyme
B E
are just footsteps outta time
A E B E
from a time when i knew you , reuben james

E
reuben james ,
B E
all the folks around madison county cussed your name
A E
just a no account share – cropper coloured man
B E
who’d steal anything he can
A E B E
and everybody laid the blame on reuben james

chorus
A
reuben james
E
you still walk the fertile fields of my mind
A
the faded shirt , the weathered brow
E
the calloused hands upon the plough
D A E
loved you then and i love you now , reuben james

E
flora graves ,
B E
the gossip of madison county died with child
A E
and although your skin was black
B E
you were the one who didn’t turn your back
A E B E
on a hungry white child with no name , reuben james

E
reuben james ,
B E
with your mind on my soul and a bible in your right hand
A E
and you said turn the other cheek
B E
there’s a better world waitin’ for the meek
A E B E
in my mind these words remain from reuben james

repeat chorus
A
reuben james
E
you still walk the fertile fields of my mind
A
the faded shirt , the weathered brow
E
the calloused hands upon the plough
D A E
loved you then and i love you now , reuben james

third verse key change F
( if you can swing it , otherwise keep in key of E )

F
reuben james ,
C F
one dark cloudy day they brought you from the field
A# F
and to your lonely pine box came
C F
just a preacher me and the rain
A# F C F
to sing one last refrain for reuben james

chorus x 2
A#
reuben james
F
you still walk the fertile fields of my mind
A#
the faded shirt , the weathered brow
F
the calloused hands upon the plough
D# G# F
loved you then and i love you now , reuben james

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