Jesse James


     Jesse James was a lad who 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. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     It was Robert Ford, that dirty little coward; 
     I wonder how he does feel 
     For he ate of Jesse's bread and he slept in Jesse's bed 
     Then laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor 
     He never would see a man suffer pain, 
     And with his brother Frank he robbed the Chicago bank, 
     And stopped the Glendale train. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     It was his brother Frank that robbed the Gallatin bank, 
     And carried the money from the town; 
     It was in this very place that they had a little race, 
     For they shot Captain Sheets to the ground. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     They went to the crossing not very far from there, 
     And there they did the same; 
     With the agent on his knees, he delivered up the keys 
     To the outlaws, Frank and Jesse James. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     It was on Saturday night, Jesse was at home 
     Talking with his family brave, 
     Robert Ford came along like a thief in the night 
     And laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     The people held their breath 
     When they heard of Jesse's death 
     And wondered how he ever came to die. 
     It was one of the gang called little Robert Ford 
     He shot poor Jesse on the sly. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave. 
 
     This song was made by Billy Gashade, 
     As soon as the news did arrive; 
     He said there was no man with the law in his hand 
     Who could take Jesse James when alive. 
     Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, 
     Three children, they were brave; 
     But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard 
     Has laid poor Jesse in his grave.