Rube, oh Rube, oh Rube It's Rube, oh Rube, oh Rube Reuben where you been so long? I've been to the East, I've been to the West I've been all around this old world I've been to the river and I've been baptized I'm ready for my hole in the ground Poor Reuben had a wreck, he broke his fireman's neck He can't get no letter from his home Rube, oh Rube, oh Rube It's Rube, oh Rube, oh Rube Reuben where you been so long? I've been to the East, I've been to the West I've been all around this old world I've been to the river and I've been baptized I'm ready for my hole in the ground Honey, if you just say so, I'll railroad no more I'll side-track my engine and come home The longest day that I ever seen Was the day that I left my home My Mama told me and Papa did too That I must never roam