Jesse James was a lad who killed many a man
He robbed the Glendale train
He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor
He'd a hand, and a heart, and a brain
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has 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
Then he laid poor Jesse in his grave
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that 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
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
It was his brother, Frank, that 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
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
It on a 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
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
The people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
And wondered how he ever came to die
It was on one of the gang called Little Robert Ford
Who shot poor Jesse on the sly
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, they were brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave