Jesse James
Bruce Springsteen & The Sessions Band Lyrics

Jesse James was a lad
Jesse James was a young man.

That killed many a man
He committed murder several times.

He robbed the Glendale train
He committed a robbery on the Glendale train.

He stole from the rich
He took valuables from wealthy people.

And he gave to the poor
He distributed some of the stolen goods among poor people.

He'd a hand and a heart and a brain
He was a skilled, compassionate and intelligent person.

Well it was Robert Ford
Robert Ford was responsible.

That dirty little coward
He was a shameful and despicable person.

I wonder now how he feels
I'm curious about his emotions regarding the situation.

For he ate of Jesse's bread
He received hospitality and help from Jesse.

And he slept in Jesse's bed
He was accommodated in Jesse's house.

And he laid poor Jesse in his grave
He killed and buried Jesse.

Well Jesse had a wife
Jesse was married.

To mourn for his life
She grieved for his loss.

Three children
They had three offspring.

Now they were brave
They showed courage in the aftermath of Jesse's death.

That shot Mr. Howard
He was responsible for killing Mr. Howard.

He laid poor Jesse in his grave
He caused Jesse's death and burial.

Well Jesse was a man
Jesse was a human.

A friend to the poor
He was a supporter of underprivileged people.

He'd never rob a mother or a child
He didn't have the heart to harm innocent women and kids.

There never was a man with the law in his hand
No lawman successfully captured Jesse.

That could take Jesse James when alive
They couldn't capture him alive.

It was on a Sunday night
The robbery took place on a Sunday night.

Well the moon was shining bright
The moon was brightly lit on that night.

And people they did say o'er many miles away
People talked about it in faraway places.

It was those outlaws Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James were the culprits.

Now the people held their breath
People were shocked and anxious.

When they heard of Jesse's death
They were saddened to learn about Jesse's passing.

They wondered how he'd ever come to fall
They were curious about the cause of his death.

Robert Ford it was a fact
It's true that Robert Ford committed the murder.

He shot Jesse in the back
He killed Jesse from behind.

While Jesse hung a picture on the wall
Jesse was engaged in a mundane activity when he was killed.

Jesse went to rest with his head on his breast
Jesse was buried with his head resting on his chest.

The devil upon his knee
A metaphorical interpretation of the afterlife.

He was born one day in County Clay
Jesse James was born in County Clay.

And he came from a solitary race
He belonged to a family with a reputation for being isolated.