(Traditional, arranged by Ry Cooder) 



Jesse James we understand 

Has killed him many a man 

He robbed the Union trains 

But history does record 

That Bob and Charlie Ford 

Have laid Jesse James in his grave 



It was on a Saturday night 

The stars were shining bright 

When they robbed that Union train 

And it was one of the younger boys 

That gathered in the spoils 

And carried that money away 



In his small home unaware 

A-straightening pictures there 

He thought he heard a noise 

And as he turned his head 

Well, the bullet killed him dead 

Fired by Bob Ford, one of the boys 



Poor Jesse had a wife 

She lived a lady all her life 

The children they were brave 

But history does record 

That Bob and Charlie Ford 

Have laid poor Jesse, laid poor Jesse 

Have laid Jesse James in his grave