Sinking Of The Reuben James lyrics

Song information

Artist: Kingston Trio
Album: An Evening With The Kingston Trio

Lyrics

Have you heard of the ship, called the good reuben james
Run by hard fighting men, both of honor and fame
She flew the stars and stripes for 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?
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 graves
When that good ship went down only forty-four were saved
T'was the last of october, they save the forty-four
From the dark, icy waters of that cold iceland shore

Chorus

It was there in the dark, of that cold and water night
They watched for the u-boats, they waited for a fight
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar
They laid the reuben james on that 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

[from http://lyrics.doheth.co.uk]

"An Evening With The Kingston Trio" album track list