Jesse James
Pete Seeger
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Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man 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 And he stopped the Glendale train 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
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Written by: RY COODER
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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7 facts about this song
Bob Seger"Jesse James" is not a typical song in Seger's discography and is not readily available on his main albums or streaming platforms.
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Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen’s version of "Jesse James" is a part of his 2006 album "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions." The album was an experiment in sound for Springsteen, focusing on folk and Americana.
- Springsteen's version is actually a cover of a traditional folk song about the famous American outlaw and is based on a version by Bascom Lamar Lundsford.
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Johnny CashJohnny Cash cover of "Jesse James" was released as a track on his 1960 studio album "Sings Hank Williams and Other Favorites".
- Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice and the song's storytelling nature is typical of Cash's style.
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Pete SeegerPete Seeger's version of "Jesse James" is quite significant. Seeger was an American folk singer and social activist and his version of the song is simple with primarily vocal and banjo instrumentation.
- Seeger's version is traditional, but it has strong political undertones inherent in Seeger's music and beliefs.
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The Kingston TrioThe Kingston Trio, an American folk and pop group, recorded their version of "Jesse James" with modern sound as well as adding a horn section, making it distinct from other versions.
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The PoguesIrish band The Pogues also released a version of "Jesse James". This version features the band's typical Irish folk instrumentation and punk influences.
- The band’s version of the song was included in their album ‘Hell’s Ditch’ released in 1990.
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Woody GuthrieWhile Guthrie is known for his folk songs and is acknowledged as an inspiration for many artists, there is no official recording or release of "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie.
- Guthrie’s works have inspired other artists to cover older folk songs, including "Jesse James", building a folk reviving movement.
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"Jesse James Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31057051/Pete+Seeger/Jesse+James>.
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