Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Jesse James

Chords

4.626 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Jesse James
[Verse 1]
WhGen Jesse James was a lad he’d kCilled many a mGan,
He robbed the Glendale trD7ain,
AGnd the people they did say for mCany miles awGay
GIt was robbed by FD7rank and Jesse JamGes.
[Chorus]
Poor CJesse had a wife who moGurned for his life,
Three children - they were brave and tD7rue
But Gthat dirty little coward who Cshot Mister HowarGd
Has Glaid poor Jesse D7in his gGrave
[Verse 2]
It Gwas on a Saturday night if I rCemember it rigGht
When they robbed that Glendale trD7ain.
It was Gone of the Younger boys who Cgathered in the spoiGls,
And Ghe carried JesseD7's monies awaGy.
[Chorus]
Poor CJesse had a wife who moGurned for his life
Three children - they were brave and tD7rue
But Gthat dirty little coward who Cshot Mister HowarGd
Has Glaid poor Jesse D7in his gGrave
[Verse 3]
He Gwas standing on a chair just a Cdustin picturGes there
He thought he heard a noiD7se
When Ghe turned his head around, then a Cbullet smacked him dowGn
AGnd it laid poor D7Jesse on the floGor
[Chorus]
Poor CJesse had a wife who moGurned for his life
Three children - they were brave and tD7rue
But Gthat dirty little coward who Cshot Mister HowarGd
Has Glaid poor Jesse D7in his gGrave
[Verse 4]
JeGsse robbed from the rich and he Cgave to the pGoor
He never did an un-friendly thD7ing
And when Ghis best friend died he was rCight there by her sGide
AGnd he lifted off D7her golden weddGing ring
[Chorus]
Poor CJesse had a wife who moGurned for his life
Three children - they were brave and tD7rue
But Gthat dirty little coward who Cshot Mister HowarGd
Has Glaid poor Jesse D7in his gGrave

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Jesse James

by Woody Guthrie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Jesse James

[Verse 1]

G C G

When Jesse James was a lad he’d killed many a man,

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.

[Chorus]

C G

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life,

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

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.

[Chorus]

C G

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life

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

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

[Chorus]

C G

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life

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

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

[Chorus]

C G

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life

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

About Jesse James Chords by Woody Guthrie

Learn how to play Jesse James by Woody Guthrie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Jesse James chords”, “Jesse James guitar chords”, or “Woody Guthrie Jesse James chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Jesse James chords and for experienced players who want accurate Jesse James lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D7.

FAQ — Jesse James by Woody Guthrie

How do I play "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie free?

Yes. The chords for "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Jesse James" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Jesse James" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Jesse James"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Jesse James" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Jesse James" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Jesse James" by Woody Guthrie with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Woody Guthrie below.

What key is "Jesse James" in?

The chords for "Jesse James" show the original chord names (including G, C, D7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.