Ruben

I was a “road warrior” for two decades spending way too much time flying around the USA for my business. I knew that I was flying too much when two of my best friends were the bartender and a breakfast cook at a Denver airport restaurant. This song is about the breakfast cook.

Ruben caught me one day in the terminal hallway and shared some of his recent stories. I was so taken by his stories that I felt the need to go straight to the gate for my next flight and capture the experience. After a lot of typing, I realized that I was at the wrong gate! (I did make the flight as the doors were closing.)

The words became the lyrics to this song. The music showed up almost a year later and the song became one of my favorites.

• Ruben Lyrics

  A million miles in the air
  Mornings for breakfast, Reuben is there
  Passing through always going somewhere
  At one airport, Reuben is there
  
  Scrambled, no toast, how have you been?
  Always a smile, always something to share
  Reuben retires with a smile and a prayer,
  They want him around, new job for him right there
  

  CHORUS

  
  Reuben taught me what matters
  I am no longer in a rush
  I’ve learned to let others help me
  I’ve learned not to be afraid so much

  CHORUS
  
  Still passing through, still Reuben is there
  Cleaning the floors now, still something to share
  Shows me certificate, 30 years working there
  No longer in a rush, friends everywhere
  

  CHORUS

  BREAK

  CHORUS
  

  With his own cart and closet and blessings to share
  Reuben is proud and happy just to be there
  We all have a story in our heads
  Define ourselves by that thread
  Chorus

  
  © Geoff Wolf 2018