The Ballad Of Jesse James
Chris Barber · Other Songs - Chris Barber
And he killed many men
He robbed the Glendale train
And he took from the richer
And he gave that to the poorer
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain
Oh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave
On Wednesday night
When the moon was shining bright
They robbed that Glendale train
And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)
They all said without a doubt
It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)
Oh Jessie had a wife, to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid (poor) Jesse James in his grave
Well the people held their breath
When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)
And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)
It was one of his guys, called Little Robert Ford
And he shot Jessie James on the sly
Oh Jessie had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
He laid Jesse James in his grave
The Ballad Of Jesse James
Chris Barber's 1958 recording of 'The Ballad Of Jesse James' stands as a definitive interpretation of the outlaw legend within the British folk revival. Arranged by Barber and his ensemble, the track captures the gritty, storytelling essence of American folk music while infusing it with a distinct English brass and rhythm section. The composition translates the narrative of the notorious gunslinger into a compelling ballad that resonated deeply with audiences of the era. As a staple of Barber's discography, this recording exemplifies his skill in adapting traditional American songs for a British context, preserving the raw emotion and historical weight of the original material without compromising its dramatic impact.