Jesse James

Jesse James"

Jesse James is America's Robin Hood. Like bis famous predecessor in folklore (although in fact James was a real person). Jesse James Robbed from the rich and was kind to the poor and was always willing to help some cowpoke who was down on bis luck." As legend has it, Jesse retired from bis life of crime under the assumed name of Mr. Howard. He was at home with bis family one evening wben Robert and Charles Ford, members of Jesse's old gang (and, some say, guests in bis house), shot bim in the back for the sake of the retard. The author of the ballad is unknown

JESSE JAMES

It was on a Wednesday night, the moon was shining bright. They robbed the Danville train And the people they did say, for many miles away.

"Twas the outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life,

The children they were brave.

"Twas a dirty little coward that shot Mister Howard, And laid poor Jesse in his grave.

Jesse was a man was a friend to the poor He never left a friend in pain. And with his brother Frank he robbed the Chicago bank And they held up the Glendale train:

It was Robert Ford, the 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 Jesse James 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

They went to the crossing not very far from there. And there they did the same And the agent on his knees he delivered up the keys To the outlaws Frank and Jesse James.

It was on a Saturday night. Jesse was at home Talking to his family brave, When the thief and the coward, little Robert Ford.

Laid Jesse James in his grave.

How people held their breath when they heard of Jesse And wondered how he ever came to die. "Twas one of the gang, dirty Robert Ford, That shot Jesse James on the sly

Jesse went to rest with his hand on his breast: He died with a smile on his face. He was born one day in the county of Clay And came from a solitary race.