American Folk - The Ballad of Jesse James

Jesse James was a lad who killed many men

He robbed the Glendale train

He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor

He had hand and a heart and a brain

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children they were so brave

Robert Ford caught his eye and shot him on the sly

And they laid Jesse James in his grave

It was on a Wednesday night when the moon was shinin' bright

They robbed the Glendale train

And the folk from all about they all said without a doubt

It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children they were so brave

Robert Ford caught his eye and shot him on the sly

And they laid poor Jesse in his grave

It was on a Friday night when Jesse was at home

A-talkin' with his family brave

When along came Robert Ford like a thief in the night

And laid poor Jesse in his grave

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children they were so brave

Robert Ford caught his eye then shot him on the sly

And they laid Jesse James in his grave

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

And they wondered just how he came to die

It was little Robert Ford one of Jesse's men

Who shot Jesse James on the sly

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life

Three children they were so brave

But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard

Has laid Jesse James in his grave.

• Artist:American Folk