Jerry Lee Lewis

Songwriter: Alex Harvey (Songwriter) Barry Etris

Producer: Jerry Kennedy

Reuben James in my song you'll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Reuben James
Hey Reuben James all the folks around Madison Caunty cussed your name
Just a no count of colored man who'd steal anything that he can
And they always laid the blame on Reuben James
Hey Reuben James you still walk the furrowed fields of my mind
The faded shirt the wrinkled brow the calloused hand upon the plow
I loved you then and I love you now Reuben James

Hey Flora Gray well the gossip of Madison County died with the child
And although your skin was black you were the one who didn't turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name Reuben James
Hey Reuben James with your mind on my soul and Bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek there's a better world waitin' for the meek
In my head those words remain from Reuben James
Hey Reuben James you still walk...

Oh Reuben James one cold dark day they brought you from the fields
And that lonely pinebox came just a preacher me and the rain
To sing one last refrain for Reuben James
Oh Reuben James you still walk...

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

more tracks from the album

There Must Be More to Love Than This

From the album

There Must Be More to Love Than This (1971)

Jerry Lee Lewis popular songs

Reuben JamesJerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis

There Must Be More to Love Than This