Jesse James was a lad who killed many men
He robbed the Glendale train
He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor
He had hand and a heart and a brain
Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
Robert Ford caught his eye and shot him on the sly
And they laid Jesse James in his grave
It was on a Wednesday night when the moon was shinin' bright
They robbed the Glendale train
And the folk from all about they all said without a doubt
It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James
Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
Robert Ford caught his eye and shot him on the sly
And they laid poor Jesse in his grave
It was on a Friday night when Jesse was at home
A-talkin' with his family brave
When along came Robert Ford like a thief in the night
And laid poor Jesse in his grave
Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
Robert Ford caught his eye then shot him on the sly
And they laid Jesse James in his grave
Well the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
And they wondered just how he came to die
It was little Robert Ford one of Jesse's men
Who shot Jesse James on the sly
Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave.