☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of Reuben James, an African-American who was despised by the community.
- Reuben James was falsely accused of being a thief and was blamed for all the crimes in the area.
- Conway Twitty remembers Reuben James as a man who helped him in a difficult time and showed him love and care.
- The song expresses admiration for Reuben James' moral strength and faith.
- The death of Reuben James is felt as a great loss and Conway Twitty always remembers him as an inspiring figure.
Interpretation
"Reuben James" is a song by
Conway Twitty that tells the story of a man named Reuben James. Reuben James was an African American who worked as a sharecropper, which means he worked on someone else's land and had to give a portion of the harvest. In the song, he is portrayed as an honest and kind man, although he was despised by the people of Madison County.
The song lyrics describe how Reuben James was judged by the people in the community just because he was black. They accused him of being a thief and blamed him for all the crimes in the area. But Conway Twitty remembers Reuben James differently. He remembers him as a man who was there for him when he was hungry and nameless. Reuben James took care of him and helped him. He didn't reject him because of his skin color, but showed him love and care.
The song lyrics also express admiration for Reuben James' moral strength. He was a religious man who lived the values of Christianity. He followed the biblical principle of turning the other cheek and fighting for a better life for the humble and meek.
The song ends with the death of Reuben James and the mourning for him. Conway Twitty remembers him as a man who is always present in his thoughts and memories. He considers Reuben James as an inspiring figure who showed him how to live with love and kindness.
"Reuben James" is therefore a song about prejudice, humanity, and the importance of compassion and tolerance. It encourages listeners not to judge people based on their skin color or social status, but to show them respect and love.