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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: the sinking of the reuben james From: oldhippie Date: 12 Feb 07 - 08:50 PM Reuben James - country song Reuben James, in my song you'll live again In the phrases that I write In the footsteps out of sight For the time that I knew you, Reuben James Reuben James, all the folks around Madison County cursed your name Just a no count share cropping colored man Steal anything he can Everybody layed the blame on Rueben James Rueben James, use to walk the furred fields of my mind Faded shirt and weathered brow Callosed hands upon the plow Loved you then and I loved you now, Ruben James Reuben James, with your mind on the soul And the Bible in your right hand So turn the other cheek, there's a better World waiting fot the meek In my mind these words remain from Rueben James I don't recall Johnny Horton singing it, but didn't either Kristofferson or Kenny Rogers do a version? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: the sinking of the reuben james From: GUEST,Art from Pa. Date: 12 Feb 07 - 08:01 PM This was a song I heard as a kid. It was a record by Country singer Johnny Horton. Horton was killed in a car crash in 1960. This song was on Greatest hits album. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: the sinking of the reuben james From: GUEST,Elisa Barnes. Date: 09 Jun 04 - 07:55 PM |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Hrothgar Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:21 AM No officers, and only a couple of petty officers among the survivors? Never noticed that before. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: semi-submersible Date: 03 Jun 04 - 10:38 PM So would this famous name be the source of the country song ? "Although your skin was black/You were the one that didn't turn your back/On this hungry white child with no name, Reuben James" (The DigiTrad doesn't say who wrote it.) |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Jun 04 - 01:50 PM Amos, you are good! Several of these survivors were present a couple of years ago when a monument was dedicated to the Reuben James in Portland Harbor, ME, the destroyer's home port and where many of the North Atlantic convoys were assembled. Our sea music group Roll & Go got to sing the ballad and a few other songs as part of the ceremony. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Amos Date: 03 Jun 04 - 02:56 AM http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/logs/DD/dd245-cas.html THE SURVIVORS LIST: SURVIVORS OF THE USS REUBEN JAMES DISASTER OF OCTOBER 31st, 1941 APPLETON, Charlie Edward, Jr. Fireman 2c, USN, #295-89-55 (Rescued) Enlisted January 14, 1941, Nashville, Tenn. Home address, R.F.D.#2, Sardis, Mississippi. Nest of kin, Father, Mr. Charlie Edward Appleton, Sr., R.F.D.#2, Sardis, Mississippi. APPLETON, Parmie Glendon, Fireman 2c, USN, #295-89-56 (Rescued) Enlisted January 14, 1941, Nashville, Tenn. Home address: R.F.D.#2, Sardis, Mississippi. Next of kin: Father, Mr.. Charlie Edward Appleton, R.F.D.#2, Sardis, Mississippi. BEASLEY, George Napoleon, Jr., Machinist's Mate 2c, USN, #346-72-96 (Rescued) Enlisted July 18, 1939, Little Rock, Arkansas. Home Address: Heavener, Oklahoma. Next of kin: Father, Mr. George Napoleon Beasley, Heavener, Oklahoma. BEGLEY, Claborn, Machinist's Mate 2c, USN, #310-79-18 (Rescued- Slightly Injured) Re-enlisted November 5, 1938, on board USS Oklahoma. Home address: #123 East 89th St., Los Angeles, Calif. Next of kin: Wife, Grace Begley, c/o Mrs. Gertrude Lawrence, 806 East 76th Street, Los Angeles, California. BERGSTRESSER, William Henry, Chief Machinist's Mate (AA), USN, #380-47-41 (Rescued-Slightly Injured) Reenlisted February 15, 1940, on board USS Reuben James Home address: 521 Olive Street, Ventura, California. Next of kin: Wife, Mrs. W.H. Bergstresser, #7 Tolman St., Portland, Maine. BOYD, Solon Gescovy, Machinist's Mate 1c, USN, #271-99-38 (Rescued) Reenlisted August 10, 1940, aboard USS Reuben James. Home address: #1621- 12th Ave., South Birmingham, Alabama. Nest of kin, Wife, Mrs. Neda Boyd, #7 Cedar Street, Portland, Maine. BRIDGES, Brent Neil, Radioman 3rd class, USN, #368-44-01 (Rescued) Enlisted July 10k, 1939- Salt Lake City, Utah. Home address: #82 East 16th St., Garfield, Utah. Next of kin: Father, Mr. Herman Albert Bridges, #82 East 16th St., Garfield Utah. BUSH, Roy Virgil, Fireman 2c, USN, #283-48-68 (Rescued) Enlisted January 13, 1941- N.R.S., Cleveland, Ohio. Home address: #1713 East 36th St., Ashtabula, Ohio. Next of kin: Father, Mr. Roy E. Bush, #1713 East 36th St., Ashtabula, Ohio. CARR, Robert James, Fireman 2c, USN, #403-03-92 (Rescued - Slightly Injured) Enlisted January 20, 1941- N.R.S., Buffalo, N.Y. Home address: #43 Woodview Avenue, Hamburg, New York. Next of kin: Mother, Mrs. Vilot Carr Millks, #43 Woodview Avenue, Hamburg, NY COYLE, Floyd Bob, Fireman 1c, USN, #262-34-97 (Rescued) Enlisted May 22, 1939, N.R.S., Raleigh, North Carolina. Home address: #211 Walnut St., Gaffney, South Carolina. Next of kin: Father, Mr. Robert A. Coyle, #211 Walnut St., Gaffney, S.C. DEL GROSSO, Daniel Joseph, Seaman 1c, USN, #234-31-93 (Rescued) Enlisted January 17, 1941 - N.R.S., Springfield, Massachusetts. Home address: #86 Germania Street, Galeton, Penna. Next of kin: Father, Costanzo Del Grosso, #86 Germania St., Galeton, Pa. DELISLE, Gerald Joseph, Coxswain, USN, #212-53-46 (Rescued) Enlisted November 20k, 1939 - N.R.S., Springfield, Mass. Home address: #28 Forest St., Fitchburg, Mass. Next of kin: Father, Mr. Anatole J. Delisle, #28 Forest St., Fitchburg, Mass. ELNITSKY, Joseph Fedenich, Fireman 1c, USN, #243-67-53 (Rescued) Enlisted November 21, 3939, N.R.S., Philadelphia, Pa. Home address: #414 Fourth St., Blakely, Pennsylvania. Next of kin: Father, Metro F. Elnitsky, 414 Fourth St., Blakely, Penn. GIEHR, George Frederick, Fireman 2c, USN, #234-31-49 (Rescued) Enlisted January 13, 1941, N.R.S., Buffalo, New York. Home address: #39 Cornwall Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Next of kin: Father, Franz Giehrl, 39 Cornwall Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. GORZIZA, Arthur Emil, Machinist's Mate 1c, USN, #10-54-54 (Rescued) Enlisted April 27, 1935, at N.O.B., Norfolk, Virginia. Home address: #6148 Coleman Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan. Next of kin: Father, Emil Om Gorziza, 56148 Coleman Ave., Dearborn, Mich. GRAHAM, Guy Shipp, Machinist's Mate 2c, USN, #380-60-40 (Rescued) Enlisted December 4, 1939, at N.R.S., Salt Lake City, Utah. Home address: Box 42, Fruitland, Payette Co, Idaho. Next of kin: Wife, Lucy M. Graham, 2305 N. 28th St., Boise, Idaho. HAJOWY, Joseph, Machinist's Mate 2c, USN, #283-27-42 (Rescued) Enlisted May 24, 1939, at N.R.S., Cleveland, Ohio. Home address: 852 Brown Street, Akron, Ohio. Next of kin: Father, Mr. Roman Hajowy, 828 Sherman St., Akron, Ohio. HINGULA, Norman Francis, Fireman 1c, USN, #223-52-054 (Rescued) Enlisted June 1, 1939, at New York, N.Y. Home address: 421 68th Ave, Brooklyn, New York. Next of kin: Father, John Gustav Hingula, 421 68th Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. HOWARD, Robert Joseph, Torpedoman 3c, USN, #234-19-64 (Rescued) Enlisted May 3, 1939, at Buffalo, New York. Home address: #229 Hagen St., Buffalo, New York. Next of kin: Father, Ernest Perry Howard, 229 Hagen St., Buffalo, N.Y. JACQUETTE, Charles Samuel, Jr., Fireman 1c, USN, #258-24-41, (Rescued - Slightly Injured) Enlisted September 18, 1939, Baltimore, Maryland. Home address: Rock Hall, Maryland. Next of kin: Father, Charles Samuel Jacquette, Rock Hall, Md. JAEGGI, Earl William, Shipfitter 2c, USN, #311-38-17 (Rescued) Enlisted August 17, 1938, Detroit, Michigan. Home address: 6510 Vinewood Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. Next of kin: Wife, Josephine Jaeggi, 532 W. 50th St., New York, N.Y. JAMES, Vance Turner, Metalsmith 1c, USN, #261-98-02 (Rescued) Enlisted April 14, 1937, at Raleigh, North Carolina. Home address: Route #3, Hickory, North Carolina. Next of kin: Father, June James, Route @3, Hickory, North Carolina; also Wife, Margaret E. James, #12 Franklin Street, Portland, Maine. KAPECZ, Rudolph T., Gunner's Mate 1c, USN, #305-25-97 (Rescued) Reenlisted February 8, 1938, R.S., at New York, N.Y. Home address: #619 East Oak Street, Ironwood, Michigan. Next of kin: Father, Steve Kapecz, #619 East Oak St., Ironwood, Mich. LONG, Gordon H., Watertender 1c, USN, #261-94-24 (Rescued) Enlisted August 13, 1936 at Raleigh, North Carolina. Home address: Route #5, Box 18, Clinton, North Carolina. Next of kin: Wife, Rose Long, 516 Clinton St., Brooklyn, New York, Mother, Emma Lewis, 262 Lake Forest Parkway, Wilmington, N.C. MOLNAR, Joseph, Fireman 1c, USN, @266-05-66 (Rescued - Slightly Injured) Enlisted January 25, 1940 at Richmond, Va. Home address: #751 Lawrence St., Allentown, Pa. Next of kin: Mother, Elizabeth Kortvely, 751 Lawrence St., Allentown, Pa. NAGLE, Earl G., Seaman 2c, USN, #250-63-91 (Rescued) Enlisted April 1, 1941, at Pittsburgh, Pa. Home address: Chest Springs, Pennsylvania. Next of kin: Father, William Nagle, Chest Springs, Pa. NIECE, Delos, Seaman 2c, USN, #300-41-99 (Rescued) Enlisted March 27, 1941 at N.R.S., Chicago, Illinois. Home address: 1516 South Sixth St., Elkhart, Indiana. Next of kin: Father, Delos Nieve, 1516 S. 6th St., Elkhart, Ind. OAKS, Kenneth Courtland, Radioman 3c, USN, #411-09-09 (Rescued) Enlisted September 19, 1940 at Great Lakes, Illinois. Home address: #113 Hazel St., Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Next of kin: Father, Clyde S. Oaks, 113 Hazel St., Oshkosh, Wisconsin. OLEXA, Steve, Seaman 2c, USN, #250-63-94 (Rescued) Enlisted April 3, 1941 at N.R.S., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home address: Box 126, Sabraton, West Virginia. Next of kin: Father, George Olexa, Box 126, Sabraton, West Virginia. PHALEN, Charles W., Fireman 2c, USN, #234-31-54 (Rescued) Enlisted January 13, 191 at Buffalo, New York. Home address: Stanley, New York. Next of kin: Mother Maratha Phalen, Stanley, New York. RICHARDSON, Leser E. Fireman 1c, USN, #272-27-55 (Rescued) Enlisted February 7, 1940 at Birmingham, Alabama. Home address: Route #2, Center, Alabama. Nest of kin: Father, Thomas Lester Richardson, Rt. #2, Center, Ala. ROBINSON, Clarence F., Seaman 1c, USN, #266-30-26 (Rescued) Enlisted January 14, 1941 at Richmond, Va. Home address: Route #1, Box 276, Charleston, V. Va. Next of kin: Brother, James Ivan Robinson, Rt. #1, Box 276, Charleston, W. Va. RODGERS, Talmage Roscoe, Fireman 3c, #268-62-20 (Rescued) Enlisted January 6, 1941 at Macon, Ga. Home address: R.F.D. #1, Moultrie, Ga. Next of kin: Father, Lester Culver Rodgers, R.F.D. #1, Moultrie, Ga. ROSE, Charles Ray, Seaman 1c, U#266-04-91 (Rescued) Enlisted January 9, 1940 - N.R.S., Richmond Virginia. Home address: Iaeger, West Virginia. Next of kin: Mother, Edith Ann Martin, Iaeger, West Virginia. SILLS, Lawrence, Jr., Seaman 1c, USN, #274-42-93 (Rescued) Enlisted February 3, 1940 at New Orleans, La. Home address: 705 Cherry St., Jackson, Miss. Next of kin: Father, Lawrence Sills, Sr., 705 Cherry St., Jackson, Miss. SIMS, Lloyd E., Watertender 1c, USN, #274-10-90 (Rescued - Slightly Injured) Enlisted October 16, 1939 at New York, N.Y. Home address: Marianna, Florida. Next of kin: Wife, Jesse Catherine Sims, Marianna, Florida. STENCEL, Julius, Machinist's Mate 2c, F4D, USNR, #228-28-79 (Rescued) Enlisted September 20, 1935 at New York, N.Y. Home address: 124 East Baltic Street, Norwich, Conn. Next of kin: Brother, Joseph Stencel, 124 East Baltic St., Norwich, Conn. STEWART, Aaron H., Gunner's Mate 3c, USN, #266-16-02 (Rescued) Enlisted July 23, 1940 at N.R.S. Richmond, Va. Home address: 300 C. Street, Beckley, W. Va. Next of kin: Father Kelly Corbett Stewart, 300 C. St., Beckley, W. Va. STEWART, Robert S., Seaman 2c, USN, #266-30-23 (Rescued) Enlisted January 14, 1941 at N.R.S. Richmond, Va. Home address: Dorothy, Raleigh County, W. Va. Next of kin: Father, Frank H. Stewart, Dorothy, Raleigh County, W. Va. TATE, Cleophas, Electrician's Mate 3c, USN, #274-40-17 (Rescued) Enlisted November 1, 1939 at N.R.S. New Orleans, La. Home address: General Delivery, Ville Platte, La. Next of kin: Aunt, Electa Tate, General Delivery, Ville Platte, La. THOMPSON, James C., Seaman 2c, USN, #300-43-32 (Rescued - Seriously Injured) Enlisted April 10, 1941 at N.R.S. Chicago, Ill. Home address: 3755 Ahmedia Avenue, St. Francis, Wisc. Next of kin: Father, Lester Clyde Thompson, 3755 Ahmedia Ave., St. Francis, Wisc. TURNBULL, Thomas P., Electrician's Mate 2c, USN, #223-53-96 (Rescued - Seriously Injured) Enlisted August 9, 1939 at New York, N.Y. Home address: R.F.D. #1, Box 167, Rahway, New Jersey. Next of kin: Father, Hugh Alexander Turnbull, R.F.D. #1, Box 167, Rahway, New Jersey. TYGER, Leland E., Fireman 3c, USN, #311-61-01 (Rescued) Enlisted January 13, 1941 at Detroit, Michigan. Home address: 486 Peterboro, Detroit, Michigan. Next of kin: Father, Wafe William Tyger, #486 Peterboro, Detroit, Mich. WESTBURY, William C., Machinist's Mate 1c, USN, #261-71-01 (Rescued) Enlisted September 5, 195 at San Diego, California. Home address: #2605 Logan Ave., San Diego, California. Next of kin: Wife, Helen Catherine Westbury, #403 Main Street, Charlestown, Mass. ZAPASNIK, Fred F., Shipfitter 1c, USN, #250-35-18 Enlisted October 6, 1939 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Home address: #108 Charter St., New Castle, Pennsylvania. Next of kin: Wife, Helen Irene Zapasnik, Address: #108 Charter St., New Castle, Penna. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: GUEST,1eli@hawaii.rr.com Date: 03 Jun 04 - 12:39 AM I'm trying to find out if anyone has a list of the survivers of the USS Rueben James, torpedoed by the Nazi's in 1941. A friend of mine told me long ago that his father was one of the survivers and I'd like to verify this for my father-in-law, who was a crewman on the USS Madison at the time, and has compiled an archive of the period. Eli |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Reiver 2 Date: 17 Oct 03 - 10:09 PM I just stumbled onto this thread. Very interesting. Thanks to all who've contributed. I used to sing this song when my kids were young. I remember the sinking of the Reuben James (I was about 10 at the time) and remember that it was a destroyer escorting a convoy bound for Britain, but it was kept fairly quiet as the U.S. was not in the war yet. I don't think I ever heard the story about the man Reuben James so I was glad to see that here. I always loved Woody Guthrie's songs and still do. In "The Woody Guthrie Songbook", edited by Harold Leventhal and Marjorie Guthrie, 1976, I found some interesting information abour Woody: During the war Woody shipped out with his guitar and two seamen buddies, Cisco Houston and Jimmy Longhi. Woody said he was in "3 invasions" with the Merchant Marine, was torpedoed twice, once off Sicily and once off Cherbourg, France, so two of the invasions would have been those of Sicily and the D-Day landings. He often sang for troops, shipmates and freed POWs in Sicily. After the 2nd torpedoing he returned to the U.S. and was drafted into the army on the very day Hitler surrendered, and served in the army for 8 months. In the book the song is entitled "The Sinking of the Reuben James", not just "Reuben James" and has just 4 verses and the chorus. It was copyrighted in 1942. The book also has the words to the original effort to create a composition with the names of all those who died on the Reuben James. Ten verses, but it only got as far as mentioning the names of 21 men. For most of them their home town or state is also mentioned and for some their ship duty, such as fireman, radioman, gunner, etc. Verse 8 starts, "Eighty-six men were drowned, I can't give you all their names, only forty-four were saved from that good Reuben James." I guess that was where the realization set in that naming all those whe were lost would be an impossible task. The last two verses and the first two lines of the opening verse are included in the familiar song that we all have sung. The note after the piece with the men's names says, "This is the poem the Almanacs (Almanac Singers which included both Woody and Pete Seeger) first wrote about the sinking of the Reuben James. Later, maybe an hour or two, at least, we ganged around the poem and changed it to a good singing song with a chorus that you can join in easy..." Reiver 2 |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Padre Date: 17 Oct 03 - 01:10 AM USS Reuben James DD 245 Clemson Class 4-stack destroyer Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Commissioned 1920 1,190 Tons displacement 314 feet 4 inches long overall 30 feet 8 inches in beam 9 feet 3 inches mean draft 27,000 HP - rated at 35 knots Main armament 4x 4"/50 12- 21" triple Torpedo tubes This is from "The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet" - 1939 |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: allie kiwi Date: 16 Oct 03 - 07:58 PM Nope, I was wrong. But wow, they sure managed to build a fair few of those boats in a short time! All the U boat numbers you ever care to see Really interesting thread though. I remember singing this song with my father - although why we were singing about an american naval vessel I have no idea. I guess he just liked Woddie Guthrie. Allie |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: allie kiwi Date: 16 Oct 03 - 07:52 PM An uneducated guess - but since there were U boats in WW1 as well, perhaps they continued numbering from where those left off? Allie |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Gareth Date: 16 Oct 03 - 07:52 PM freightdawg : Fair comment but WW11 began on the 1st September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, 02/09/39 France declared War, and on Sunday 3rd 0f September the UK and most of the Dominions, declared Wr against Germany. But never allow logic to enter military thinking. By way of deliberate misinformation ship/squadron/division/regiment numbers were not sequential. Believe me, the original 7th Armourd (the Desert Rats) was formed when, if i remember correctly the UK only had 4 Armoured Brigades. For a history of U505 is here I suspect you might mean U552 Click 'Ere The conection bettween the USS Rueben James, and the captured U505 is (I suspect) an urban ledgend. Ah Well - No Roses grow on a Sailors Grave ! Gareth |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: freightdawg Date: 16 Oct 03 - 07:14 PM Just a question of historical accuracy, and a bit of thread drift, but I am wondering how U-505 could have been around at the beginning of the war (for the U.S.). If memory serves, the boats were numbered sequentially, and at the beginning of hostilities Germany had less than 100 active subs. I wish we had more songs that honored that great generation. I, too, have the Kingston Trio version and it is special to me. One of my uncles flew on B-17's out of England during the war, and a couple of other uncles served in the merchant marines and faced the U-boat peril. Let us also remember that most of the U-boat crews were just young men who wanted to serve their country but who did not want to die in some frozen wasteland doing it. Remember, being a young man in Germany in the late '30s and early '40s did not provide much life expectancy. I am reminded of the last phrases of "There Were Roses": "And those who give the orders, are not the ones who die, its Bell and O'Malley, and the likes of you and I." And the men on the Ruben James, and the people in the World Trade Center and .... Let's always remember. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: GUEST,Mervb@viaccess.net Date: 16 Oct 03 - 12:23 PM Somehwre in the past 50 or so years I read that Reuben James was the recipient of the FIST Medal of HONOR issued by Congress. The additinoal benefits that went with the medal were an additional pension of $3.00 per month and such privelege as the recipient would request. James's request was that he be given the privelge of having his hammock made up by someone else while he 'smoked a pipe' in the morning. Any further comments would be appreciated. Merv Baer St. Croix , US Virgin Islands |
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Subject: Lyr Add: REUBEN JAMES (Almanac Singers) From: Ross Date: 10 May 99 - 04:37 PM REUBEN JAMES The Almanac Singers Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James? Run by hard fighting men both of honor and of fame. She flew the Stars and Stripes of 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? (Repeat chorus) One hundred men went down to their dark and watery graves. When that good ship went down, only forty-four were saved. 'Twas the last day of October they saved forty-four from the dark, icy water of that cold Iceland shore. (Chorus) It was there in the dark of that cold and watery night. They watched for the U-boats and they waited for a fight. Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar. They lay 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) (From the Kingston Trio Page) |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: sk-w@worldnet.att.net Date: 02 Apr 99 - 08:28 PM For your information in addition to the sailor named Reuben James there are three US Navy ships that have born that name. The DD-245 was an old four stacker (destroyer) from WWI. In 1943 a DE (destroyer escort) was commissioned the DE-153. My husband served aboard this ship. We just returned from a reunion of the shipmates. A monument to the men who were lost fron the DD-245 is being dedicated on Sun., May 30 @ 2pm in Portland Maine. The FFG-57 of Hunt for Red October fame is currently on deployment. Its home port is Hawaii. Can I provide any more info? |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Dec 98 - 02:15 AM Wouldn't want to disappoint you, Dick - Reuben James was born in Delaware, Ohio about 1776. He joined the U.S. Navy and served on various ships, including the frigate USS Constellation. During the Barbary Wars, the American frigate USS Philadelphia was captured by the Barbary pirates when it ran aground in the pirate capital of Tripoli, on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, along with a group of volunteers that included Boatswain's Mate Reuben James, entered the harbor of Tripoli under the cover of darkness in an attempt to burn the Philadelphia so that the pirates could not make use of her.Click here for full details. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: dick greenhaus Date: 13 Dec 98 - 07:05 PM Now, a question. Naval vessels are named after something or someone. Who was Reuben James? |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Dec 98 - 05:10 PM It should be noted that after enduring lobbying, cajoling, pestering, whining, and outright browbeating, Dick Greenhaus has included this song in the most recent edition of the database. What a guy! I guess we'd better quit bugging him now.... -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 13 Dec 98 - 03:36 PM Another tid bit. Woody, and maybe Cisco, too, actually shipped on a few Merchant Marine vessels some of them ferrying troops over to Europe. When the U-boat warnings occurred, the crew usually headed top-side in the hope of bailing overboard if the ship was struck. The troops were not allowed to move topside. Woody would head down to the troops to entertain them during this perilous time. A time when actions speak louder than words. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Date: 13 Dec 98 - 02:35 PM Read through your postings, and thought I'd throw in my two cents. The Kingston Trio released the song in the late fifties, and can be found on their "Best of" CD. That last verse -- the Hellerman one -- is a little different on their version, but the last couplet is the same. Glad to know there are so many knowledgable people out there. Cheers. Lucien Holmes ho99lg33@acs.wooster.edu |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Pete M Date: 27 May 98 - 05:22 AM U570 a type VIIC was captured on 27.08.41 after being forced to the surface by an intial attack by a Coastal Command aircraft, she was towed in between two escorts and re-commissioned as HMS Graph. She saw action, amongst others,in a anti submarine role and survived the war to be broken up for scrap. U1024 type VIIc41, U744 type VIIC and U110 type 1XB were all also boarded and taken in tow by RN ships (U744 was captured by HMCS Chilliwack), but sank before reaching harbour. THe capture of U110 by HMS Bulldog was one of the most important actions of the war leading to the capture of Kreigsmarine code books and enigma rotor settings. Pete M
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Pete M Date: 27 May 98 - 04:37 AM Not quite Art, she was the only U boat captured by the USN who after examining her passed her over to the museum. The RN also captured at least one Uboat (I can't locate the designation at the moment) but re-commissioned her into the fleet and put her back into active service. Pete M |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Art Thieme Date: 26 May 98 - 10:26 AM Bit of trivia from World War 2: A long time ago I was told that the Reuben James was sunk by the german u-boat U-505 which has been on display at Chicago's Museum Of Science And Industry for many years. I believe this was the only submarine ever captured. Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: ed.campbell@hii.horiba.com Date: 26 May 98 - 09:32 AM There is also a version by late country singer Johnny Horton. It can be found on an album titled , THE WORLD OF JOHNNY HORTON. This is from the late 50's or early 60's. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES (Guthrie) From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Jan 98 - 05:22 PM OK, Dick, well, here' the whole thing, with all the verses put together: THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES by Woody Guthrie tune: "Wildwood Flower" Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James? Manned by hard fighting men of both honor and fame She flew the Stars and Stripes of the Land of the Free But tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea. [Chorus] 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 ? 'Twas 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 a great explosion roar And they laid the Reuben James on the cold ocean floor. [Chorus] One hundred men were drowned in that dark watery grave When that good ship went down, only forty four were saved Twas the last day of October that we saved the forty four From the cold icy water off the cold Iceland shore. [Chorus] Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright. In the farms and the cities they are telling of this fight. Now our mighty battleships will steam the bounding main And remember the name of the good Reuben James. [Chorus] Fred Hellerman of the Weavers added this verse: Well, many years have passed since those brave men have gone And those cold icy waters are still and they're calm Many years have passed but still I wonder why The worst of men must fight and the best of men must die. I understand that in his original version of the song, Woody tried to name all the members of the crew who lost their lives, but his fellow members of the Almanac Singers convinced him to use this version. (Without the hellerman verse) -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: dick greenhaus Date: 25 Jan 98 - 01:07 PM Joe- Sorry I can't say so. Therre are many songs that aren't yet in the DT. With all of your help (your in the group sense of y'all) they will be. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Date: 25 Jan 98 - 05:18 AM While I was reading the lyrics to Reuben James I was singing along. Then I realized I was using the tune of the Carter Family's "Wildwood Flower". Then I went and listened to Cisco Houston's version. It is almost the same tune! Murray |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Jan 98 - 12:58 AM On rec.music.folk, they're saying that "The Sinking of the Reuben James" isn't available on the Digital Tradition. Say it ain't so, Dick! -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: pete savage Date: 09 Sep 97 - 02:06 PM many thanks gene! i really appreciate the help! pete |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES From: Gene Date: 08 Sep 97 - 10:38 PM Here's the missing verse and extra one.
One hundred men were drowned in that dark watery grave Fred Hellerman of the Weavers has added this verse:
Well, many years have passed since those brave men have gone |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: pete savage Date: 08 Sep 97 - 02:22 PM somw more information: The USS REUBEN JAMES-FFG57 is an active Navy ship homeported in Hawaii, named after the original ship I presume... There is at least one more verse as Nathan says... if anyone can find any more verses I'd very much appreciate them being posted here. Thank you! Pete Savage |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: pete savage Date: 08 Sep 97 - 01:54 PM I should have provided the full information on the USS Reuben James when I posted the lyrics... herewith the "missing links": From site: http://dolley.nara.gov/exhall/people/prelude.html ****************************************** The U.S.S. Reuben James For some American sailors, World War II began before December 7, 1941. During the latter part of 1941, U.S. Navy ships provided escorts for convoys bound for Great Britain carrying war materials from our "Arsenal of Democracy." Because German U-boats (submarines) considered all ships in the convoys fair game, it was only a matter of time before we became involved in a "shooting war." Disaster struck in the early morning hours of October 31, 1941. While escorting convoy HX-156, the American destroyer U.S.S. Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk with the loss of 115 of 160 crewmen, including all officers. Although not the first U.S. Navy ship torpedoed before the war, the Reuben James was the first one lost. After the news of the sinking reached America, many concerned people wrote letters to the Navy to find out the fate of friends or loved ones. Sadly, most of the country ignored the sinking. One who did not was folk singer Woody Guthrie, who wrote his now famous song immediately after the incident: Tell me, what were their names? Tell me, what were their names? Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James? |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Nathan Sarvis (nsarvis@tenet.edu) Date: 07 Sep 97 - 10:36 PM A bit of trivia: Woody's original draft of the song was an attempt to list the names of all of the men who were killed. This proved too unweildy, so he revised it to the lyrics printed above. There is, I recall, another verse that incudes the lines "When that good ship went down, only 44 (?) were saved, Twas on the 14th of October that we saved the fortyfour. . ." If no one else does, I'll try to find it and post it. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: dick greenhaus Date: 07 Sep 97 - 07:43 PM Damn, I could have sworn we had that one already. Thanx. (Tune, of course, is Wildwood Flower) |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Bruce Date: 07 Sep 97 - 06:45 PM Song is by Woody Guithie. As I recall ship was an American merchant ship sunk before the US entered WW II. I have an old recording of it sung by Cisco Houston as I recall. |
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Subject: RE: LYR ADD: the sinking of the reuben james From: Squid Date: 07 Sep 97 - 06:28 PM I don't know the history of this song, but Ruben James was the name of the Frigate in "Hunt For Red October". sq. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES From: pete savage Date: 06 Sep 97 - 06:23 PM I finally found these lyrics and offer them to the database... THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES
Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
Tell me what were their names; tell me what were their names,
'Twas there in the dark of that uncertain night
Tell me what were their names; tell me what were their names,
Now tonight there are lights in our country so bright.
Tell me what were their names, what were their names,
HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 25-Jun-02. |
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