[The Pogues' Version]

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Jesse James we understand

Has killed many a man

He robbed the Union trains

He stole from the rich

and gave to the poor

He'd a hand and a heart

and a brain



Now Jesse had a wife

Lived a lady all her life

And children they were brave

But history does record

That Bob and Charlie Ford

Have laid poor Jesse in his grave



Well it was on Saturday night

The stars were shining bright

They robbed the Glendale train

And the people they did say

for many miles away

It was those outlays

Frank and Jesse James



Now Jesse had a wife

Lived a lady all her life

And children they were brave

But history does record

That Bob and Charlie Ford

Have laid poor Jesse in his grave



Well it was Bob and Charlie Ford

Those dirty little cowards

I wonder how they feel

For they ate of Jesse's bread

and they slept in Jesse's bed

And they laid poor Jesse in his grave



Now Jesse had a wife

Lived a lady all her life

And children they were brave

But history does record

That Bob and Charlie Ford

Have laid poor Jesse in his grave



Well the people held their breath

When they heard of Jesse's death

They wondered how he came to fall

Well it was Robert Ford in fact

who shot him in the back

While he hung a picture on the wall



These are the lyrics as they appear on the Rum, Sodomy, & The Lash insert.





[Jesse James]

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Jesse James was a boy

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.



lt was his brother Frank

that robbed the Gallatin bank,

And carried the money from the town;

lt 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.