(Traditional)

Jesse James was a man

And he killed many men

He robbed the Glendale train

And he took from the richer

And he gave that to the poorer

He'd a hand and a heart and a brain



Oh 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



(Instrumental)



On Wednesday night

When the moon was shining bright

They robbed that Glendale train

And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)

They all said without a doubt

It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)



Oh Jessie 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 (poor) Jesse James in his grave



(Instrumental)



Well the people held their breath

When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)

And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)

It was one of his guys, called Little Robert Ford

And he shot Jessie James on the sly



Oh Jessie 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

Has laid poor Jesse in his grave

He laid Jesse James in his grave



(Transcribed by ear; corrections requested and welcomed!)