Jesse James was a lad that 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 Well, it was Robert Ford that dirty little coward
I wonder now how he feels for he ate of Jesse's bread
And he slept on Jesse's bed, and he laid poor Jesse in his grave Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children now, they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave Well, Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor
He'd never rob a mother or a child
There never was a man with the law in his hand
That could take Jesse James when alive Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children now, they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave It was on a Saturday night, when the moon was shining bright
They robbed the Glendale train and people they did say
"O'er many miles away, it was those outlaws Frank and Jesse James" Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children now, they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave Now, the people held their breath
When they heard of Jesse's death
They wondered how he'd ever come to fall Robert Ford it's a fact
He shot Jesse in the back
While Jesse hung a picture on the wall Jesse went to rest with his head on his breast
The devil upon his knee, he was born one day
In the County Clay and he came from a solitary race Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children now, they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave