Jesse James

The Kingston Trio

About Jesse James

"Jesse James" is a 19th-century American folk song about the outlaw of the same name, first recorded by Bentley Ball in 1919 and subsequently by many others, including Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Vernon Dalhart, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, The Kingston Trio, The Pogues, The Ramblin' Riversiders, The Country Gentlemen, Willy DeVille, Van Morrison, Grandpa Jones, Bob Seger, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (on the Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy album), Sons of the Pioneers, Johnny Cash, Liam Clancy, Mungo Jerry and Bruce Springsteen. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. 


Year:
1961
94 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

(Recitation) Frank and Jesse James were products of their environment. They were sent out into the woods by their parents to forage for berries, truffles, rutabagas, and roots of all sorts. Put yourself in their place...you'da been mean too!
When Jesse James was a lad he killed many-a man. He robbed the Glendale train.
And the people they did say for many miles away. It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James.

[Chorus]
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave.
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave.

It was on a Saturday night if I remember right when they robbed that Glendale train.
It was one of the Younger boys who gathered in the spoils and he carried Jesse's monies away.

[Chorus]

He was standin' on a chair just a-dustin' pictures there. 
He thought he heard a noise (Yeah, what did he do?)
When he turned his head around, 
Why that bullet smacked him down and it laid poor Jesse on the floor.

[Chorus]

Jesse robbed from the poor and he gave to the rich. He never did a friendly thing.
And when his best friend died he was right there by her side 
And he lifted off her golden wedding ring.

[Chorus]

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


The Kingston Trio

The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds. It rose to international popularity, fueled by unprecedented sales of 33⅓ rpm long-playing record albums (LPs), and helped to alter the direction of popular music in the U.S. more »

4 fans

Written by: BOB SHANE, JOHN STEWART, NICK REYNOLDS

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


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.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce 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.
Johnny Cash
Johnny 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.
Pete Seeger
Pete 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.
The Kingston Trio
The 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.
The Pogues
Irish 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.
Woody Guthrie
While 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.

Discuss the Jesse James Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Jesse James Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4998070/The+Kingston+Trio/Jesse+James>.

    Missing lyrics by The Kingston Trio?

    Know any other songs by The Kingston Trio? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Jesse James

    220.3K
    765     28

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which of these songs did Taylor Swift NOT sing?
    A I Knew You Were Trouble
    B Love Story
    C Teardrops On My Guitar
    D Hot 'N Cold

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    The Kingston Trio tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Jesse James

    »