The Ballad of Jesse James

Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man
He robbed the Danville train
But that dirty little coward who shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave

Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But the dirty little coward, who 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

It was Wednesday night, the moon was shining bright
They robbed the Glendale train
The people they did say, for many miles away
It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James

It wa withs his brother Frank they robbed the Gallatin bank
And carried the money from the town;
It was in this very place that they had a little race
For they shot Captain Sheets to the ground

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
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

It was Robert Ford, that dirty little coward
I wonder how he did feel
For he ate of Jesse's bread, and slept in Jesse's bed
Then he laid poor Jesse in his grave

Now he people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
And wondered how he came to die;
It was one of the gang called little Robert Ford
He shot poor Jesse on the sly

Jesse went to his rest with his hand on his breast;
And the devil will surely be on his knee
He was born one day in the County of Clay
And came from a solitary race

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 while alive

Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man
He robbed the Danville train
But that dirty little coward who shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave