“Jesse James (VI -- "I Wonder Where My Poor Old Jesse's Gone")”
Description
Jesse James song recognized by the chorus, "Oh I wonder where my poor old Jesse's gone... I will meet him in that land where I've never been before." Jesse is killed by Robert Ford; his life is recalled
Notes
I don't know if this version is actually traditional; the Golden Ring text is collated, and I believe someone (Mitchell Trio?) attributed it to Paul Clayton. I've never seen a pure dyed-in-the-wool text from tradition.
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
Historical references
- Apr 4, 1882 - Shooting of Jesse James (then in semi-retirement under the name of Howard) by Robert Ford, a relative and a former member of his gang tempted by the $10,000 reward
Cross references
- cf. "Jesse James (I)" [Laws E1] and references there
References
- Darling-NAS, pp. 187-188, "Jesse James" (1 text)
- DT, JESSJAM1
- BI, DarNS188