[Verse 1]
Jesse James, we understand, has killed him many a man
He robbed the Union trains
He stole from the rich, he gave to the poor
He had a hand and a heart and a brain

[Verse 2]
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 outlaws Frank and Jesse James

[Chorus]
Now Jesse had a wife, lived a lady all her life
Her children, they were brave
Ah, but history does record that Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Verse 3]
Well, it was Bob and Charlie Ford, those dirty little cowards
I wonder how they feel
For they ate of Jesse's bread, they slept in Jesse's bed
They laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Chorus]
Now Jesse had a wife, lived a lady all her life
Her children, they were brave
Ah, but history does record that Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave
[Chorus]
Now Jesse had a wife, lived a lady all her life
Her children, they were brave
Ah, but history does record that Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Verse 4]
Well, the people held their breath, they heard of Jesse's death
They wondered how he come to fall
It was Robert Ford, in fact, who shot him in the back
While he hung a picture on the wall

[Chorus]
Now Jesse had a wife, lived a lady all her life
Her children, they were brave
Ah, but history does record that Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse in his grave

[Refrain]
Well, history does record that Bob and Charlie Ford
Have laid poor Jesse, laid poor Jesse
Have laid Jesse James in his grave