Classic Poem

1.

Yes, I went down to the depot
Not many days ago: they followed on behind,
And I fell upon my knees, and I offered up the keys
To Frank and his brother, Jesse James.

2.

Poor Jesse James, poor Jesse James,
He robbed that Danville train;
Yes, the dirty little coward, he shot Mr. Howard,
An' they laid poor Jesse in his grave.

3.

Frank says to Jesse, not many days ago,
" Let's rob that Danville train. "
An' Jesse says to Frank, " We'll take it as we go,
For we may not be hyar any more. "

Poor Jesse James, etc.

4.

Jesse was a man, an' he travelled over the land,
With his sword an' his pistol to his side.
Robert Ford watched his eye an' shot him on the sly,
An' they laid poor Jesse in his grave.

Poor Jesse James, etc.

5.

Yes, Jesse had a wife, the darlin' of his life,
An' the children all was brave.
Robert Ford watched his eye an' shot him on the sly,
An' they laid poor Jesse in his grave.

6.

It was on Friday night, the moon was shinin' bright,
An' Jesse was standin' 'fore his glass,
Robert Ford's pistol ball brought him tremblin' from the wall,
An' they laid poor Jesse in his grave.

Poor Jesse James, etc.

7.

Well, the people of the West, when they heard of Jesse's death,
They wondered how he come to die.
Robert Ford watched his eye an' shot him on the sly,
An' they laid poor Jesse in his grave.