Jesse James (VIII -- "Poor old Jesse, AIn't You Sorry?)

DESCRIPTION: "Jesse James was a man who wore a hat with a little band, There lays Jesse James in his grave. Poor old Jesse, ain't you sorry? (x3)." "Jesse James was a spy, and they shot him on the sly. How they killed Jesse James was a shame. Poor old Jesse..."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1950 (Morris-FolksongsOfFlorida)
KEYWORDS: outlaw death clothes
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Morris-FolksongsOfFlorida, #47, "Jesse James" (1 text)
Roud #2240
NOTES [95 words]: Roud lumps this with "Jesse James (I)" [Laws E1], probaby because the first line is somewhat similar. But that line won't scan to the same tune, and the rest of the lyrics are different. Laws does not include the Morris-FolksongsOfFlorida text with "Jesse James (I)," and I fully agree that they are separate. Morris's fragment appears unique, although it was probably inspired by, or confused with, the better-known song.
For full background on Frank and Jesse James, see the notes to "Jesse James (III)," the James song which has perhaps the strongest factual basis. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.7
File: Morr047

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