In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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 you-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]
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 you-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]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Sinking of the Reuben James Lyrics as written by Woody Guthrie
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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