Warren Zevon - Frank And Jesse James Lyrics






On a small Missouri farm
Back when the west was young
Two boys learned to rope and ride
And be handy with a gun

War broke out between the states
And they joined up with Quantrill
And it was over in Clay county
That Frank and Jesse finally learned to kill

Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on riding, riding, riding
'Til you clear your names
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on riding, riding, riding Frank and Jesse James

After Appomattox they were on the loosing side
So no amnesty was granted
And as outlaws they did ride
They rode against the railroads,
And they rode against the banks
And they rode against the governor
Never did they ask for a word of thanks

Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on riding, riding, riding
'Til you clear your names
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Across the prairies and the plains
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James

Robert Ford, a gunman
Did exchange for his parole
Took the life of James the outlaw
Which he snuck up on and stole
No one knows just where they came to be misunderstood
But the poor Missouri farmers knew
Frank and Jesse do the best they could

Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on riding, riding, riding
'Til you clear your names
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James





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Warren Zevon Frank And Jesse James Comments
  1. J.... �....

    Lyrics
    On a small Missouri farm
    Back when the west was young
    Two boys learned to rope and ride
    And be handy with a gun
    War broke out between the states
    And they joined up with Quantrill
    And it was over in Clay county
    That Frank and Jesse finally learned to kill
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Frank and Jesse James
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    'Til you clear your names
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Across the rivers and the range
    Keep on riding, riding, riding Frank and Jesse James
    After Appomattox they were on the loosing side
    So no amnesty was granted
    And as outlaws they did ride
    They rode against the railroads,
    And they rode against the banks
    And they rode against the governor
    Never did they ask for a word of thanks
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Frank and Jesse James
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    'Til you clear your names
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Across the prairies and the plains
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Frank and Jesse James
    Robert Ford, a gunman
    Did exchange for his parole
    Took the life of James the outlaw
    Which he snuck up on and stole
    No one knows just where they came to be misunderstood
    But the poor Missouri farmers knew
    Frank and Jesse do the best they could
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Frank and Jesse James
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    'Til you clear your names
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Across the rivers and the range
    Keep on riding, riding, riding
    Frank and Jesse James

  2. S.... D....

    Such an underrated song

    S.... D....

    Such an underrated musician.

  3. S.... B....

    Finally saw the movie The Long Riders just because of this song, basically, a few years ago. Good film. Also due to the rock band The Long Ryders.

    S.... B....

    Can't go wrong with a Walter Hill film, and for my money "The Long Riders" is one of his best.

    S.... B....

    I love that movie! I used to live about a half hour from Northfield, MN. Every year around the beginning of September they have a reenactment of the notorious raid that destroyed the James/Younger gang. Also check out the James ranch home in Kearney, MO sometime if you can. The book Shot All to Hell by Mark Lee Gardner is terrific to find out more about them.

  4. D.... S....

    Frank n Jes don't need your help at all Yankee

    D.... S....

    Fuck off, Reb.

  5. a.... k....

    masterpiece

  6. R.... ....

    One of his five best songs.

    R.... ....

    @Erik Cameron Splendid Isolation

    R.... ....

    @Max William Lauf good call. i was also thinking renegade.

    R.... ....

    @Max William Lauf Splendid Isolation is amazing, and the live version of Renegade is oh so beautiful. I think She's Too Good For Me is definitely up there

    R.... ....

    @MassiveGat Can we expand this list to 10 songs and include "Gorilla You're a Desperado?“

    R.... ....

    @Max William Lauf Haha sure. Condensing Warren's discography to 5 songs is really hard

  7. G.... R....

    this song would never be allowed anymore because saying anything about anyone on the confederate side besides "they deserved to die" makes everyone's pussies hurt

    G.... R....

    This song isn't about the Civil War proper, but in content describes the outlaw gangs who fought alongside but couldn't find a true home with the Union or Confederacy. It fits in with Zevon's many other songs where he uses the estranged or shunned but talented mercenary as a metaphor for his personal relationships and place in the world.

    I swear, someone hears "Roland" for the first time and suddenly all you guys show up jacking off to helicopters and men in Rhodesian hot pants.

    G.... R....

    @Max William Lauf
    Ain't nothing wrong with wearing Rhodesian hot pants on helicopters

    G.... R....

    @Jack Ryan Hahaha

    G.... R....

    Goddamn troll.

    G.... R....

    Regardless of political affiliation I think everyone secretly enjoys this song. It's just too good.

  8. B.... ....

    NOBODY can rock a piano like Warren ! This is a frickin AMAZING song from the Eternal Zevon. God of Music, Irreplaceable Legend ...ZEVON LIVES FOREVER!!!

  9. B.... R....

    favorite Zevon song

  10. P.... M....

    But the poor missouri farmers knew

  11. J.... G....

    great song