In 1946, McCurdy began singing folksongs over the Canadian Broad casting Corporation radio system. In 1952, he began writing and performing for children's program's in radio and television, continuing to utilize folkmusic at every opportunity. Since late 1954, he has been living in New York City, and has appeared frequently in Televisions broadcasts for both adults and children originating from that city.
McCurdy is accompanied on second guitar, and banjo, by ERIK DARLING, an Upstate New Yorker who has been working out of New York City in recent years. Mr. Darling has made numerous recordings as a banjoist and singer, both as a solo performer and as an accompanist. He has performed extensively in concerts, and on television and radio, including several years on Oscar Brand's "Folksong Festival" over station WNYC. His most recent musical adventure has been performing as all integral part of an exciting new folksong trio, "The Tarriers", in whose success his instrumental and vocal talents have played an important role.
McCurdy died March 23, 2000
Jesse James
Ed McCurdy Lyrics
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He robbed the Danville train
He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor
He'd a hand, a heart, and a brain
Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor
He couldn't see a brother suffer pain
And with his brother Frank he robbed the Springfield bank
Poor Jesse had a wife, a lady all her life
And three children, they were so brave
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Has laid ol' Jesse James in his grave
It was Robert Ford, the dirty little coward
And I wonder how he feels
For he slept in Jesse's bed and he ate o' Jesse's bread
But he laid Jesse James in his grave
It was with his brother Frank that he robbed the Gallatin Bank
An' carried the money from the town
It was at that very place that they had a little chase
For they shot ol' Captain Sheets to the ground
Poor Jesse had a wife to morn for his life
And three children, they were so brave
But that dirty lettle coward that shot Mr. Joward
Has laid ol' Jesse James in his grave
They went to a crossing, not very far from there
And there they did the same
For the agent on his knees delivered up the keys
To the outlaws, Frank an' Jesse James
It was on a Wednesday night, not a star was in sight
When they robbed the Glendale train
Those people, they did say for many miles away
It was robbed by Frank an' Jesse James
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
And three children, they were so brave
But that dirty lettle coward that shot Mr. Joward
Has laid ol' Jesse James in his grave
Then on a Saturday night, Jesse was at home
Just talking with his family brave
When Robert Ford came along like a thief in the night
And laid poor Jesse in his grave
Now, the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
They wondered how he came to die
It was one of his own gang called little Robert Ford
An' he shot Jesse James on the sly
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life
And three children, they were so brave
But that dirty lettle coward that shot Mr. Joward
Has laid ol' Jesse James in his grave
Jesse went to his rest with his hand upon his breast
And there are many who never saw his face
He was born one day in the County of Clay
And he came from a solitary race
This song was made by Billy Gashade
As soon as the news did arrive
He said there's no one man with the law in his hand
Could ever take ol' Jesse James alive
Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn his life
An' his children too, they were brave
But that dirty little coward shot Mr. Howard
An' laid Jesse James in his grave
Oh, they laid poor Jesse in his grave, yes, Lord
They laid Jesse James in his grave
Oh, he took from the rich and he gave to the poor
But, they laid Jesse James in his grave
The song "Jesse James" by Ed McCurdy tells the story of the notorious outlaw who was known for committing multiple murders and robberies. In the lyrics, Jesse James is portrayed both as a criminal and a hero of the common people. James is credited with both stealing from the rich to give to the poor and with killing many people. He is also shown as having a loyal and loving family who mourn his death after he is betrayed and killed by Robert Ford.
The singer of the song is sympathetic towards James and highlights his kind-hearted nature towards the less fortunate. However, his criminal actions are not ignored or excused. Jesse James was a complex figure in American history and this song captures the many different aspects of his life and legacy.
Overall, the song captures the legend and myth around Jesse James, depicting him as a complex and multifaceted character who was both a criminal and a folk hero.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man
Jesse James was a young man who killed a number of people.
He robbed the Danville train
He stole from the Danville train.
He stole from the rich and he gave to the poor
Jesse James stole from the wealthy and gave to people in need.
He'd a hand, a heart, and a brain
He possessed the physical and mental abilities, as well as the empathy to help the underprivileged.
Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor
Jesse was an individual who was an ally to people in poverty.
He couldn't see a brother suffer pain
Jesse couldn't bear to see his fellow man experience distress.
And with his brother Frank he robbed the Springfield bank
Jesse and his sibling Frank stole money from the Springfield financial institution.
And he stopped the Glendale train
Jesse obstructed the passage of the Glendale train.
Poor Jesse had a wife, a lady all her life
Jesse James was wedded to a lifelong woman.
And three children, they were so brave
Jesse had three exceptionally courageous children.
But that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
Robert Ford, the traitor who shot Mr. Howard, was a dishonorable and contemptible individual.
Has laid ol' Jesse James in his grave
Robert Ford caused Jesse James to decease and be buried.
It was Robert Ford, the dirty little coward
Robert Ford, the despicable person, was responsible for Jesse's death.
And I wonder how he feels
People question how Robert Ford feels after his actions.
For he slept in Jesse's bed and he ate o' Jesse's bread
Robert Ford was a guest in Jesse's home and benefited from his generosity.
An' carried the money from the town
Jesse and Frank transported stolen funds out of the community.
It was at that very place that they had a little chase
The place where Jesse and Frank robbed the bank was also where they faced pursuit.
For they shot ol' Captain Sheets to the ground
Captain Sheets was injured when Jesse and Frank were confronted by they who pursued them.
They went to a crossing, not very far from there
Jesse and Frank traveled to a nearby crossing.
And there they did the same
At this crossing, they repeated their criminal activities.
For the agent on his knees delivered up the keys
The agent surrendered the keys to the outlaws while in supplication.
To the outlaws, Frank an' Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James were the recipients of the keys surrendered by the agent.
When they robbed the Glendale train
They committed a robbery against the Glendale train.
Those people, they did say for many miles away
Others recounted that the robbery of the Glendale train was spoken of from a great distance.
It was robbed by Frank an' Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James were the culprits who robbed the Glendale train.
Then on a Saturday night, Jesse was at home
On a Saturday night, Jesse was present in his abode.
Just talking with his family brave
Jesse was conversing with his fearless family.
And laid poor Jesse in his grave
Robert Ford killed Jesse and caused him to be buried.
Now, the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
After hearing of Jesse's death, the populace were very surprised.
They wondered how he came to die
Curiosity arose about how Jesse met his demise.
It was one of his own gang called little Robert Ford
It turned out that one of Jesse's cohorts, a man called little Robert Ford, was responsible for his death.
An' he shot Jesse James on the sly
Robert Ford assassinated Jesse while being secretive.
Jesse went to his rest with his hand upon his breast
Jesse passed away with his hand on his chest.
And there are many who never saw his face
Numerous individuals never had the opportunity to observe his countenance.
He was born one day in the County of Clay
Jesse James was born one day in the County of Clay.
And he came from a solitary race
Jesse descended from an isolated ethnic group.
This song was made by Billy Gashade
Billy Gashade created this song.
As soon as the news did arrive
Billy Gashade wrote this tune after being informed of Jesse's passing.
He said there's no one man with the law in his hand
Billy Gashade believed that no single individual armed with the law could have captured Jesse alive.
Could ever take ol' Jesse James alive
The belief was that Jesse James couldn't have been apprehended without resistance.
Oh, they laid poor Jesse in his grave, yes, Lord
Jesse was interred in his final resting place, oh Lord.
But, they laid Jesse James in his grave
Jesse James was interred in his final resting place.
Oh, he took from the rich and he gave to the poor
Jesse James was an outlaw who took from the wealthy and gave to the poor.
But, they laid Jesse James in his grave
Jesse James has passed away and was buried after his death.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RY COODER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
L. Salisbury
0:50 - a line MORE violent than any Gangsta Rap lyric!