Jesse James

[Verse 1]

Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man

He robbed the Glendale train

He stole from the rich, and he gave to the poor

He'd a hand and a heart and a brain

Well, it was Robert Ford, that dirty little coward

I wonder now how he feels

For he ate of Jesse's bread, and he slept in Jesse's bed

Then he laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Chorus]

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children, now they were brave

Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard

He laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Violin solo]

[Verse 2]

That Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor

He'd never rob a mother or a child

There never was a man with the law in his hand

That could take Jesse James when alive

It was on a Saturday night, and the moon was shining bright

They robbed the Glendale train

And the people they did say over many miles away

“It was those outlaws, they're Frank and Jesse James!”

[Chorus]

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children, now they were brave

Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard

He laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Accordion solo]

[Verse 3]

Now the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death

They wondered how he’d ever come to fall

Robert Ford, it was a fact, he shot Jesse in the back

While Jesse hung a picture on the wall

Now Jesse went to rest with his hand on his breast

The devil upon his knee

He was born one day in the County Clay

And he came from a solitary race

[Chorus]

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children, now they were brave

Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard

He laid poor Jesse in his grave

Woah!

[Instrumental outro]