Rubin James,
in my mind you'll live again.
And the phrases that I write are just the footsteps
out of time from the time when I knew you,
Rubin James.
Rubin James,
all the folks around Madison County
cussed your name.
Just a no account check robbing colored man
would steal anything that he can.
And everybody laid the blame on Rubin James.
Rubin James,
you still walk the far fields of my mind.
Faded shirt, the weathered brow,
the kindest hands upon the plow.
I loved you then and I love you now,
Rubin James.
Flora Gray,
the gossip of Madison County died with child.
And although your skin
was black,
you were the one who didn't turn his back
on the hungry white child with no name,
Rubin James.
Rubin James,
with your mind on a soul and a Bible in your right hand,
you said turn the other cheek.
There's a better world awaiting for the meek,
and I mind these words remain for Rubin James.
Rubin James,
you still walk the far fields of my mind.
Faded shirt,
the weathered brow,
the kindest hands upon the plow.
I loved you then and I love you now,
Rubin James.
Rubin James,
one dark cloudy day that carried you from the field
to your lonely pine box came just a preacher,
me and the rain,
just to sing one last refrain for Rubin James.
Rubin James,
you still walk the far fields of my mind.
Faded shirt,
the weathered brow,
the kindest hands upon the plow.
I loved you then and I love you now,
Rubin James.
Rubin James,
you still walk the far fields of my mind.
Faded shirt,
the weathered brow,
the kindest hands upon the plow.
I loved you then and I love you now,
Rubin James.