The Sinking Of The Reuben James
View chords used in this chart
verse 1
G G D G
Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James
G D G
Manned by hard fighting men both of honor and fame?
G C G
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free
G D G
But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea.
[Refrão]G C Am
Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
G C Am
What were their names, tell me, what were their names?
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James
verse 2
G G D G
Well, a hundred men went down in that dark watery grave
G D G
When that good ship went down only forty-four were saved.
G C G
'Twas the last day of October we saved the forty-four
G D G
From the cold ocean waters and the cold icy shore.
[Refrão]G C Am
Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
G C Am
What were their names, tell me, what were their names?
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James
verse 3
G G D G
It was there in the dark of that uncertain night
G D G
That we watched for the U-boats and waited for a fight.
G C G
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion roared
G D G
And they laid the Reuben James on that cold ocean floor.
[Refrão]G C Am
Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
G C Am
What were their names, tell me, what were their names?
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James
verse 4
G G D G
Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright
G D G
In the farms and in the cities they're telling of the fight.
G C G
And now our mighty battleships will steam the bounding main
G D G
And remember the name of that good Reuben James.
[Refrão]G C Am
Tell me what were their names, tell me what were their names,
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
G C Am
What were their names, tell me, what were their names?
D C G
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James
How to play The Sinking Of The Reuben James
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.