|
JESSE JAMES Sung by: Mrs. Almeda Riddle Recorded in Miller, AR 8/22/57 Click here to listen to the original recording He robbed the Danville train, And that dirty little coward that shot Mister Howard Has laid Jesse James in his grave. It was Robert Ford, the dirty little coward; I wonder how he feels, For he ate Jesse's bread, and he slept in Jesse's bed, Then laid poor Jesse James in his grave. Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life, Children that were brave; But that dirty little coward that shot Mister Howard Has laid Jesse James in his grave. It was with his brother Frank That he robbed the Galatian Bank; He carried the money from the town. It was at that very place they had a little chase, For they shot old 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-not a star was in sight- They robbed the Glendale train. The people all did say for many miles away It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James. It was on a Saturday night and Jesse was at home, Just talking with his family brave. Robert Ford came along like a thief in the night, And he 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 own gang called Little Robert Ford Who shot Jesse James, but on the sly. And this song was made by Billy S. Hade, As soon as the news did arrive, Who said, "There's no man with the law in his hand Could take old Jesse James when alive." 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 Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |