Jesse James was a lad
that 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.
Well, 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 on Wednesday night,
the moon was shining bright,
they robbed the Glendale train.
The people they did say
for many miles away,
it was robbed by
Frank and Jesse James.
Well, Jesse had a wife ...

It was on Saturday night,
Jesse was at home,
talking to his family brave,
Robert Ford came along
like a thief in the night
and laid poor Jesse in his grave.
Well, Jesse had a wife ...

All the people held their breath,
when they heard of Jesses's death,
and wondered how he ever came to die.
It was one of his own gang,
called little Robert Ford,
he shot poor Jesse on the sly.
Well, Jesse had a wife ...

Oh, Jesse was a man,
a friend of the poor
he'd never rob a mother or a child;
he took from the rich
and he gave to the poor
so they shot Jesse James on the sly.
Well, Jesse had a wife ...

This song 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.
Well, Jesse had a wife ...