Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
The first song on Warren Zevon’s self titled album, Frank and Jesse James is a country and western ballad that tells the story of the outlaw brothers, who also serve as a metaphor for the Everly brothers, with whom Zevon performed regularly.
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
'Til you clear your names
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
[Verse 2]
After Appomattox
They was on the losin' 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
[Chorus]
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
'Til you clear your names
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Across the prairies and the plains
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James, woo
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
Robert Ford, a gunman
In 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
That Frank and Jesse do the best they could
[Chorus]
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
'Til you clear your names
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
Well, Frank and Jesse James
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
'Til you clear your names
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James was written by Warren Zevon.
Frank and Jesse James was produced by Jackson Browne.
Warren Zevon released Frank and Jesse James on Tue May 18 1976.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Zevon said:
“I wrote ‘Frank and Jesse James’ for and about Don and Phil Everly. In 1972, I was under contract to David Geffen as a songwriter. This was at Jackson’s suggestion, of course, though I believe that Geffen liked my songs. He let the contract lapse in 19...