A Train Robbery – Levon Helm

Recording in Bb
Capo on 1st


  A                        D          A
 The full moon touched the cold steel lines
                              E
 The rail bed was frozen with ice
        A                      D            A
 In the distance an engine was keepin' good time
                   E           A
 The steam whistle moaned just twice
 D                        A
 Down in the cut past the old trestle bridge
                    E
 Twelve fine horses stood
 A                          D           A
 Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge
                  E        A
 Not far from the Glendale woods
 
 
 The brass lamp shone from the swayin' train
 When the driver saw the red light
 Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain
 And the metals screamed through the night
 The baggage man peered out to look for the fault
 When fear froze up his heart
 He was starin' down the barrel of an army colt
 That threatened to tear him apart
 

(Chorus)
 A                                     G         D        A
 We will burn your train to cinders so throw the money on down
 A                                    G        D        A
 Open up your damned express car and jump down to the ground
 A                                         G        D         A
 But we won't touch that old Pullman she's Southern and they claimed    
 A                                G        D       A
 They ain't offered no reward for Frank and Jesse James
 G        D      A
 Frank and Jesse James
 
 
 In long soldiers coats frayed with years
 Quickly they scrambled aboard
 The men was a–sweatin' and the women shed tears
 And a preacher prayed to the Lord
 When they opened the safe there was nothing for them
 So they strolled down through the train
 What a miserable sight, these desperate men
 Robbin' old folks for their gold watch chains
 

(chorus)
 
 
 Now some say the devil had taken his soul
 Some say his spirit survived
 But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy
 Just fightin' to stay alive
 High above that railroad bed
 On a ridge where the pines grow tall
 If you listen to the wind there's a ghost of a chance
 You can still hear ole Jesse call
 

(chorus)