Jesse James
Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group Featuring Dickie Bishop Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jesse James was a man
And he killed many men
He robbed the Glendale train
And he took from the richer
And he gave that to the poorer
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain

Oh 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

On Wednesday night
When the moon was shining bright
They robbed that Glendale train
And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)
They all said without a doubt
It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)

Oh Jessie 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 (poor) Jesse James in his grave

Well the people held their breath
When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)
And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)
It was one of his guys, called Little Robert Ford
And he shot Jessie James on the sly

Oh Jessie 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




Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
He laid Jesse James in his grave

Overall Meaning

The Ballad of Jesse James tells the story of the infamous American outlaw, Jesse James, who was known for his many crimes, including bank robberies and train heists, and was ultimately shot and killed by one of his own men, Little Robert Ford. The first verse of the song establishes Jesse James' reputation as a violent man who had killed many people, but also highlights his Robin Hood-like tendency to take from the rich and give to the poor. The chorus mourns the loss of Jesse, who had a wife and three brave children, and blames his death on a "dirty little coward" who shot him in the back.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesse James was a man
Jesse James was a human being


And he killed many men
He caused the untimely death of numerous men


He robbed the Glendale train
He stole from the Glendale Train


And he took from the richer
He took from the wealthy


And he gave that to the poorer
And he gave that to the less fortunate


He'd a hand and a heart and a brain
Jesse James had dexterity, compassion, and intelligence


Oh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Jesse James had a spouse to grieve for his passing


Three children they were so brave
His courageous children numbered three


But that dirty little coward
But the unethical, insignificant coward


That shot Mr. Howard
Who shot Mr. Howard


Has laid Jesse James in his grave
Caused Jesse James to rest in peace


On Wednesday night
Specifically on a Wednesday evening


When the moon was shining bright
When the bright moon was visible


They robbed that Glendale train
He/she stole from the Glendale train


And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)
The people from distant areas (they were able to)


They all said without a doubt
They all confirmed without hesitation


It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)
Frankie and Jesse James were responsible for it (yes)


Well the people held their breath
The public held their breath in fear


When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)
When they learned about the demise of Jesse James


And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)
And they were curious about how Jesse James perished (what caused his death?)


It was one of his guys, called Little Robert Ford
Little Robert Ford, one of Jesse's associates


And he shot Jessie James on the sly
Shot Jesse James discreetly


Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
Caused the unfortunate, Jesse James, to be buried


He laid Jesse James in his grave
He buried Jesse James




Lyrics © PAUL RODRIGUEZ MUSIC LTD.
Written by: DONALD CHRISTOPHER BARBER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found