Song Lyrics

Jesse James was a lad
That killed a many a man
Robbed that danville train
And with his brother frank
Held up that - bank
Them outlaws frank and jesse james

Old Jesse had a wife
To mourn all her life
Three children they were brave
But the dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave

It was on a Wednesday night
That moon was shining bright
They robbed that Glandale train
And the people they did say
For many miles away
It's them outlaws frank and jesse james

Yes Jesse had a wife
To mourn all her life
Three children they were brave
But the dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave

It was on one saturday night
That Jesse was at home
Talking to his family brave
Robert Fort came along
Like a thief in the night
And Laid poor Jesse in his grave

Poor Jesse had a wife
To mourn all his life
Three children they were brave
But the dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave

Yes the people held their breath
When they heard of Jesse's death
Wondered how he ever came to die
It was one of the gang
Called little Robert Fort
Shot poor Jesse on the sly

Poor Jesse had a wife
To mourn all his life
Three children they were brave
But the dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave

Jesse went to rest
With his hand on his breast
Devil will be upon his knee
He was born one day
In the county of clay
Came from a solitary race

Poor Jesse had a wife
To mourn all his life
Three children they were brave
But the dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave

Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax

The duration of Jesse James is 3:02 minutes and seconds.