Lyrics Jackson C. Frank – Jesse James

Jesse James was a lad
He killed many a man
Robbed the Glendale train
But that dirty little coward

Well Jesse had a wife
To mourn for his life
Three children – they were brave
But that dirty little coward
Who shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave

He was standin’ on a chair
Just a-dustin’ a picture there
Thought that he heard a noise
Well he turned his head around boys
A bullet smashed him down
And they laid poor Jesse on the floor

Well Jesse had a wife
To mourn for his life
Three children – they were brave
But that dirty little coward
Who shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave

Well the people held their breath
When they heard of Jesse’s death
Wondered how he’d come to die
Of help for the big reward
Little Bobby Ford
Had shot Jesse James on the sly

Well Jesse went to his rest
With his hand on his breast
The devil will be upon his knees
He was born one day in the County of Clay
And came from a solitary race

It’s goodbye Jesse, farewell Jesse
Goodbye Jesse James
For that dirty little guy
Who nailed you on the sly
Has laid poor Jesse down to die

This song was made by Billy Guy Shade
Soon as the news did arrive
He said there weren’t no man
Who lowering his right hand
Could take Jesse James while alive

Jesse had a wife
To mourn for his life
Three children – they were brave
But that dirty little coward
Who shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave