JESSE JAMES
Sung by: Almeda Riddle
Recorded in Miller, AR, 7/16/53

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

It was Robert Ford, that dirty little coward.
I wonder how he feels?
For he ate Jesse's bread, and he slept in Jesse's bed,
Then laid Jesse James in his grave.

Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children that were brave,
But that dirty little coward that shot at Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave.

It was with his brother Frank he robbed the Galation Bank,
And he carried the money from the town.
It was at that very place they had a little chase,
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.

It was on a Wednesday night they robbed
     the Glendale Train.
The people, they did say
It was robbed by those outlaws Frank and Jesse James
For many miles away.

It was on a Saturday night when Jesse was at home,
Talking with his family brave,
Robert Ford came along like a thief in the night
And laid Jesse James in his grave.

The people held their breath
     when they heard of Jesse's death,
And wondered how he came to die.
It was one of his gang called little Robert Ford
Who shot Jesse James on the sly.

This song was made by Billy S. Shade,
Who said when the news arrived,
Who said, "There's no man with the law in his hand
Can take Jesse James when alive."

Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life.
Children that were brave.
But that dirty little coward that shot at Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave.

Also found in Randolph, Vol. II, #132; Brown, Vol. II, #243; Belden, p. 401.

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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