Jesse James was a lad, he killed many a man
He robbed the Glendale train
He took from the rich and he gave to the poor
He'd a hand, a heart and a brain

Chorus
Oh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward, that shot Mister Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave

Oh, Jesse was a man, and a friend to the poor
He'd never see a man suffer pain
But with his brother Frank he robbed the Chicago bank
And he stopped the Glendale train

How the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
And wondered how he ever came to die
It was Ford's pistol ball brought him tumbling from the wall
And it laid poor Jesse down to die

It was on a Saturday night, Jesse was at home
Talking to his family brave
Robert Ford came along like a thief in the night
And he laid poor Jesse in his grave

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

This song it 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 when alive