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Version 1Verse 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 this land of the free G D G But tonight she's in her grave on the bottom of the sea. (Chorus) G C Am Tell me what was their names, tell me what was their names, D C G Did you have a friend on that good Reuben James? G C Am What was their names, tell me, what was their names? D C G Did you have a friend on that 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 that cold icy shore. (Chorus) G C Am Tell me what was their names, tell me what was their names, D C G Did you have a friend on that good Reuben James? G C Am What was their names, tell me, what was their names? D C G Did you have a friend on that 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 the 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. (Chorus) G C Am Tell me what was their names, tell me what was their names, D C G Did you have a friend on that good Reuben James? G C Am What was their names, tell me, what was their names? D C G Did you have a friend on that 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, in the cities they're telling of this fight. G C G Now our mighty battleships will steam the bounding main G D G And remember the name of that good Reuben James. ((Chorus) G C Am Tell me what was their names, tell me what was their names, D C G Did you have a friend on that good Reuben James? G C Am What was their names, tell me, what was their names? D C G Did you have a friend on that good Reuben James