Reuben James

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[Intro]
B F# B
B F# B
[Verse]
F# B
Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
F# B
Run by hard fighting men both of honour and of fame
E B
She flew the stars and stripes of the land of the free
F# B
But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea
[Chorus]
B
Oh, tell me, what were their names?
E
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
B
Tell me, what were their names?
E C#m
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
[Verse]
F# B
One hundred men went down to their dark and watery graves
F# B
When that good ship went down, only forty-four were saved
E B
'Twas the last day of October, they saved forty-four
F# B
From the dark icy water of that cold Iceland shore
[Chorus]
B
Oh, tell me, what were their names?
E
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
B
Tell me, what were their names?
E C#m
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
[Verse]
F# B
It was there in the dark of that cold and watery night
F# B
They watched for the U-boats and they waited for a fight
E B
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar
F# B
They lay the Reuben James on that cold ocean floor
[Chorus]
B
Oh, tell me, what were their names?
E
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
B
Tell me, what were their names?
E C#m
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
[Instrumental]
B F# B
B F# B
B E B
B F# B
[Verse]
F# B
Many years have passed since those brave men are gone
F# B
Those cold, icy waters, they're still and they're calm
E B
Many years have passed and still I wonder why
F# B
The worst of men must fight and the best of men must die
[Chorus]
B
Oh, tell me, what were their names?
E
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
B
Tell me, what were their names?
E C#m
Tell me, what were their names?
F# B
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

Reuben James chords and lyrics

Free chords for Reuben James by The Kingston Trio. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

[Intro]
B   F#  B
B   F#  B
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Instrumental]
B   F#  B
B   F#  B
B   E  B
B   F#  B
[Verse]
[Chorus]

Reuben James Chords by The Kingston Trio

Learn how to play Reuben James by The Kingston Trio with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Reuben James chords”, “Reuben James guitar chords”, or “The Kingston Trio Reuben James chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Reuben James chords and for experienced players who want accurate Reuben James lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, F#, E, C#m.

Frequently asked questions about Reuben James

How do I play "Reuben James" by The Kingston Trio on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Reuben James" by The Kingston Trio on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Reuben James" by The Kingston Trio free?

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Can I transpose "Reuben James" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Reuben James" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Reuben James"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Reuben James" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Reuben James" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Reuben James" by The Kingston Trio with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Kingston Trio below.

What key is "Reuben James" in?

The chords for "Reuben James" show the original chord names (including B, F#, E, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.