(Traditional, arranged by Ry Cooder)



Jesse James we understand

Has killed him many a man

He robbed the Union trains

But history does record

That Bob and Charlie Ford

Have laid Jesse James in his grave



It was on a Saturday night

The stars were shining bright

When they robbed that Union train

And it was one of the younger boys

That gathered in the spoils

And carried that money away



In his small home unaware

A-straightening pictures there

He thought he heard a noise

And as he turned his head

Well, the bullet killed him dead

Fired by Bob Ford, one of the boys



Poor Jesse had a wife

She lived a lady all her life

The children they were brave

But history does record

That Bob and Charlie Ford

Have laid poor Jesse, laid poor Jesse

Have laid Jesse James in his grave