The most of all of the famous song about Jesse James is the popular American folk song "Jesse James" recorded in 1924 by Bascom Lamar Lunsford, and subsequently by many artists, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, The Pogues, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen on his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. The song contains the lyric "But that dirty little coward / That shot Mr. Howard / Has laid poor Jesse in his grave."[1] The lyrics of the song include a claim of authorship by Billy Gashade.
The song is pro-James, as many, especially Confederates, were at the time. The song portrays James much in the way he was portrayed in Kansas City Times by editor John Newman Edwards, as an American version of Robin Hood, though there is no evidence to indicate that he actually "stole from the rich and gave to the poor". The lyrics are however largely biographical and contain a great number of details from Jesse James' life.
The killer of James mentioned in the lyrics, Robert Ford, was James' co-gang member, normally called Bob Ford, who lived with his brother, Charley Ford, in James' house towards his death, as James had grown severely paranoid and wanted them there for his protection. He was right to be paranoid, though, as the Fords had conspired with local law enforcement to bring in James.
In the chorus, there is a reference to a Mr. Howard ("That dirty little coward (Ford, ed.) who shot Mr. Howard..."). This was the assumed name that James lived under in Saint Joseph, Missouri at the time of his killing.
It is inaccurate, however, that it was Frank and Jesse James that robbed the Glendale train, as stated in the second verse. At the time of this robbery, Frank had settled down and James had assembled a new gang. On a much more minor note, James was shot dusting a picture, not hanging it up on the wall. He was on a ladder at the time, not wearing his guns and the Ford brothers went for it. Bob Ford got a shot off first, hitting James in the back of the head and killing him instantly
Jesse James
Pogues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has killed many a man
He robbed the union trains
He stole from the rich
And gave to the poor
He'd a hand and a heart
And a brain
Lived a lady all her life
And children they were brave
But history does record
That Bob and Charlie ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
Well it was on Saturday night
The stars were shining bright
They robbed the Glendale train
And the people they did say
For many miles away
It was those outlays
Frank and Jesse James
Now Jesse had a wife
Lived a lady all her life
And children they were brave
But history does record
That Bob and Charlie ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
Well it was Bob and Charlie ford
Those dirty little cowards
I wonder how they feel
For they ate of Jesse's bread
And they slept in Jesse's bed
And they laid poor Jesse in his grave
Now Jesse had a wife
Lived a lady all her life
And children they were brave
But history does record
That Bob and Charlie ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
Well the people held their breath
When they heard of Jesse's death
They wondered how he came to fall
Well it was Robert ford in fact
Who shot him in the back
While he hung a picture on the wall
The song "Jesse James" by the Pogues tells the story of the infamous outlaw who robbed trains and stole from the rich to give to the poor, all while being on the run from the law. The song starts by acknowledging that Jesse James was responsible for the deaths of many men during his time as a criminal. However, the song goes on to emphasize that despite his violent tendencies, Jesse also had a generous spirit and was willing to help others. He had a "hand and a heart and a brain," which made him a complex figure.
The second verse of the song focuses on Jesse's family life, particularly his wife and children. They are described as brave, but it is noted that history records that it was Bob and Charlie Ford who ultimately killed Jesse. The third verse tells the story of the Glendale train robbery committed by Jesse and his gang, with the townspeople acknowledging that it was indeed the James brothers who had carried out the crime.
The final verse of the song deals with the aftermath of Jesse's death. The people are shocked and wonder how he could have been killed, and the song reveals that it was Robert Ford who shot him in the back while Jesse was hanging a picture on the wall. This verse also provides a scathing indictment of the Ford brothers for their betrayal of Jesse, who had previously fed them and allowed them to sleep in his bed.
Overall, "Jesse James" is a poignant and powerful song that highlights the complexities of a notorious American outlaw, while also condemning the treachery of those who ultimately brought him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesse James we understand
Jesse James is a well-known figure in history
Has killed many a man
Jesse has committed numerous murders
He robbed the union trains
Jesse stole from trains belonging to the union
He stole from the rich
Jesse stole from wealthy individuals
And gave to the poor
Jesse gave some of his stolen goods to people who were less fortunate
He'd a hand and a heart
Jesse was skilled and kind-hearted
And a brain
Jesse was also intelligent
Now Jesse had a wife
Jesse was married
Lived a lady all her life
Jesse's wife was well-mannered and respectable
And children they were brave
Jesse and his wife had courageous children
But history does record
Historical records indicate
That Bob and Charlie ford
Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
Killed Jesse resulting in him now being deceased
Well it was on Saturday night
The event happened on a Saturday night
The stars were shining bright
The stars were visible that night
They robbed the Glendale train
Jesse and his accomplices robbed the Glendale train
And the people they did say
According to eyewitnesses
For many miles away
From a considerable distance
It was those outlays
The culprits were believed to be Jesse and Frank James
Now Jesse had a wife
Jesse was still married
Lived a lady all her life
Jesse's wife was always dignified and respectable
And children they were brave
Jesse's children still displayed courage
But history does record
Historical records show
That Bob and Charlie ford
Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
Have caused Jesse's death
Well it was Bob and Charlie ford
Bob and Charlie Ford were responsible
Those dirty little cowards
The Ford brothers were dishonourable
I wonder how they feel
It is unknown how the Fords feel about their actions
For they ate of Jesse's bread
The Fords had shared meals with Jesse
And they slept in Jesse's bed
The Fords had slept in Jesse's bed, showing their closeness
And they laid poor Jesse in his grave
Despite their prior relationship, the Fords killed Jesse
Well the people held their breath
Jesse's death was a shock for many
When they heard of Jesse's death
Upon learning of Jesse's death
They wondered how he came to fall
People were curious about how Jesse died
Well it was Robert ford in fact
It was actually Robert Ford
Who shot him in the back
Who killed Jesse from behind
While he hung a picture on the wall
Jesse was supposedly hanging a picture when he was shot
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind