Reuben James Composer(s): Almanac Singers; Woody Guthrie Performer(s): The Kingston Trio
Have you heard of the ship called
"The Good Reuben James?" Armed by hard-fighting men both of honor and of fame She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea
Chorus Oh, tell me what were their names?, tell me what were their names? Did you have a friend on The Good Reuben James? Oh, tell me what were their names?, tell me what were their names? Did you have a friend on The Good Reuben James?
One hundred men went down to their dark and watery grave When that good ship went down, only forty-four were saved Was the last day of October, they saved forty-four From the dark, icy waters of that cold Iceland shore
Chorus
It was there in the dark of that cold and watery night They watched for the U-boat and they waited for a fight Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar They laid the Reuben James on the cold ocean floor
Chorus
Many years have passed since those brave men are gone Those cold icy waters, they're still and they're calm Many years have passed and still I wonder why The worst of men must fight and the best of men must die
Chorus
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