The Sinking Of The Reuben James

The second troupe of the original Kingston Trio consisted of founders Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds with John Stewart added to replace departing founder Dave Guard. In 1981, twenty years after Guard left, both configurations joined the then-touring company of the KT for a reunion concert now legendary among that group's fans.

The Shane/Reynolds/Stewart trio opens its set here with "The Sinking Of The Reuben James," a commemoration by the legendary Woody Guthrie of the men who died when the destroyer of that name was sunk by a German U-boat on October 31, 1941, six weeks before Pearl Harbor. Guthrie commandeered the tune from an Appalachian song named "Wildwood Flower" that had been collected originally in the 1920s by A.P. Carter and the Carter Family. Guthrie wrote his own words and added the chorus; in his original version, each man who died was mentioned by name in a line in a verse. The final verse sung here by the Trio and by most others who sing this song to this day was added after World War II by Fred Hellerman of the Weavers.

Tenor guitarist and founding Trio member Nick Reynolds died in October of 2008; banjo player and later renowned singer-songwriter John Stewart had passed away earlier that year in January. This video is a tribute to them and to the magic they created as part of the Kingston Trio from 1961 through 1967.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• KingstonTrio
• folk
• WoodyGuthrie
• ChillyWinds

[LordFearsage]

Fantastic! ... I'm goin to post the Weavers' version.

[CompVid101]

Now THAT would be fantastic! I haven't heard their version in years - lost the vinyl long ago.

[CadillacL]

I was bout 10 when this was on PBS. I'll never forget hearing "Tom Dooley". Since i've found songs by KT, I've notice i favor the John Stewart era.

[Cowboycurtis888]

I like the Johnny Horton version.

[kfo9494]

The LP version of the song is much better. Never nderstood why they think they are making the song better.

[stewballmax2]

They really nailed it! I've always especially enjoyed the KT line-up consisting of Bob Shane,Nick Reynolds and John Stewart best.

This 1981 KT reunion performance was @ Six Flaggs.

Thanks for posting!

~Max

[Blinkymyt]

My dad did indeed have friends on the Reuben James, having served as Flight Deck Commander on the Shangri-la aircraft carrier during WWII. My parents and I were in attendance when the Trio's newest addition, John S., performed their first concert together at Balboa Park Concert Hall in San Diego. I also remember seeing tears in their eyes when this song was rendered. Very moving.