Jessie James Chords
Jessie James by Woody Guthrie is a beginner-friendly guitar song played in the key of G. It uses the chords G, C and D7. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
verse 1
G C G
When Jesse James was a lad heâ??d killed many a man,
D7
He robbed the Glendale train,
G C G
And the people they did say for many miles away
G D7 G
It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James.
C G
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life,
D7
Three children - they were brave and true
G C G
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard
G D7 G
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
verse 2
G C G
It was on a Saturday night if I remember it right
D7
When they robbed that Glendale train.
G C G
It was one of the Younger boys who gathered in the spoils,
G D7 G
And he carried Jesse's monies away.
C G
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life,
D7
Three children - they were brave and true
G C G
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard
G D7 G
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
verse 3
G C G
He was standing on a chair just a dustin pictures there.
D7
He thought he heard a noise.
G C G
When he turned his head around, then a bullet smacked him down,
G D7 G
And it laid poor Jesse on the floor.
C G
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life,
D7
Three children - they were brave and true
G C G
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard
G D7 G
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
verse 4
G C G
Jesse robbed from the rich and he gave to the poor
D7
He never did an un-friendly thing,
G C G
And when his best friend died he was right there by her side,
G D7 G
And he lifted off her golden wedding ring.
C G
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life,
D7
Three children - they were brave and true
G C G
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard
G D7 G
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave