The Sinking of the Reuben James

Follow 0 fans

The Almanac Singers

The Almanac Singers was an American New York City-based folk music group, active between 1940 and 1943, founded by Millard Lampell, Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie. The group specialized in topical songs, mostly songs advocating an anti-war, anti-racism and pro-union philosophy. They were part of the Popular Front, an alliance of liberals and leftists, including the Communist Party USA (whose slogan, under their leader Earl Browder, was "Communism is twentieth century Americanism"), who had vowed to put aside their differences in order to fight fascism and promote racial and religious inclusiveness and workers' rights. The Almanac Singers felt strongly that songs could help achieve these goals. more »

3:06

3 Views

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James
Manned by hard working men both of honor and fame
She flew the stars and stripes of the land of the free
But tonight she's in her grave on the bottom of the sea

Tell me: what were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

One hundred men were drowned in that dark watery grave
When that good ship went down only 44 were saved
Was the last day of October we saved the 44
From that cold icy waters of that cold iceland shore

Tell me: what were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

It was there in the dark of that uncertain night
That we watched for the u-boats and waited for a fight
Then a whine and a rock, and the great explosion roared
And they laid the Reuben James on that cold ocean floor

Tell me: what were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
What were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright
In the farms and in the cities they're telling of the fight
And now our mighty battleships
Will steam the bounding main
And remember the name of that 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?
What were their names?
Tell me: what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer