HE STOLE FROM THE RICH, AND HE GAVE TO THE POOR

Jesse James was a lad that killed many a man
He robbed the Glendale train
He stole from the rich, and he gave to the poor
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain

Well, it was Robert Ford, that dirty little coward
I wonder now how he feels
For he ate of Jesse's bread, and he slept in Jesse's bed
Then he laid poor Jesse in his grave

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, now they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave

That Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor
He'd never rob a mother or a child
There never was a man with the law in his hand
That could take Jesse James when alive

It was on a Saturday night, and the moon was shining bright
They robbed the Glendale train
And the people they did say over many miles away
“It was those outlaws, they're Frank and Jesse James!”

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, now they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave

Now the people held their breath when they heard of Jesse's death
They wondered how he'd ever come to fall
Robert Ford, it was a fact, he shot Jesse in the back
While Jesse hung a picture on the wall

Now Jesse went to rest with his hand on his breast
The devil upon his knee
He was born one day in the County Clay
And he came from a solitary race

Well, Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children, now they were brave
Well, that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard
He laid poor Jesse in his grave
Woah!

That Jesse was a man, a friend to the poor
He'd never rob a mother or a child
There never was a man with the law in his hand
That could take Jesse James when alive

Bruce Springsteen