Cat. #0734 (MFH #325) - As sung by Glenn Orhlin, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 29, 1969
VERSE 1
Jesse James was a lad
That killed many a man
He robbed th Glendale Train
He stoled from th rich
An' he gave to th poor
He's a hand out'a heart an' a brain
CHORUS:
O, Jesse had a wife,
To mourn all her life
Three children they were brave
Was th dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
And laid Jesse James in his grave
VERSE 2
It was his brother, Frank
That robbed th Gallatin Bank
Carried th money from th town
It was in this very place
They had a little race
They shot Captain Sheets to th ground
They went to th crossing
Not very far from there
An' there they did th same
With th agent on his knees
He delivered up th keys
To th outlaws Frank an' Jesse James
VERSE 3
It was little Robert Ford
That dirty little coward
I wonder how he does feel
For he ate of Jesse's bread
An' he slept in Jesse's bed
An' he laid poor Jesse in his grave
VERSE 4
It was on a Saturday night
Jesse was at home
Talk'n to his family brave
Robert Ford came along
Like a thief in th night
Laid poor Jesse in his grave