===========================

'A Train Robbery'
by Levon Helm

http://www.levonhelm.com/

===========================


Intro: G


G                        C           G
The foreman touched the cold steel lines
G                 D           G
The rail bed was frozen with ice
G                              C            G
In the distance an engine was keeping good time
G                  D           G
The steam whistle moaned just twice


C                              G
Down in the cut past the old Tressel bridge
C                   D
Twelve fine horses stood
G                           C           G
Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge
G                 D         G
Not far from the Glendale woods


G                              C       G
The brass lamp shone from the swaying train
G                D            G
When the driver saw the red light
G                             C      G
Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain
G                 D                   G
And the metals screamed through the night


C                              G
The baggage man peered out to look for the fault
C                        D
When fear froze up his heart
G                                     C    G
He was staring down the barrel of an army colt
G                   D        G
That threatened to tear him apart




G
We will burn your train to cinders
C                      G
so throw the money on down
G
Open up your damned express car
C                      G
And jump down to the ground


G
But we won't touch that old woman
C                             G
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
G
They ain't offered no reward
C                    G
For Frank and Jesse James
C                 G
Frank and Jesse James





G                        C               G
In long soldier's coats frayed with the years
G              D         G
Quickly they scrambled aboard
G                              C          G
Men were the sweatin' and the women shed tears
G                D            G
And a preacher prayed to the Lord


C                                      G
When they opened the safe there was nothing for them
C                                 D
So they strode down through the train
G                             C        G
What a miserable sight these desperate men
G                            D             G
Robbin' old folks for their gold, watch, chains




G
We will burn your train to cinders
C                      G
so throw the money on down
G
Open up your damned express car
C                      G
And jump down to the ground


G
But we won't touch that old woman
C                             G
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
G
They ain't offered no reward
C                    G
For Frank and Jesse James
C                G
Frank and Jesse James




C                                     G
Now some say the devil had taken his soul
C                      D
Some say his spirit survived
G                                     C            G
But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy
G                 D     G
Just fighting to stay alive


C                  G
High above that railroad bed
C                                 D
On a ridge where the pines grow tall
G                                     C          G
If you listen to the wind, there's a ghost of a chance
G                  D          G
You can still hear old Jesse call





G
We will burn your train to cinders
C                     G
so throw the money on down
G
Open up your damned express car
C                     G
And jump down to the ground


G
But we won't touch that old woman
C                              G
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
G
They ain't offered no reward
C                     G
For Frank and Jesse James
C                 G
Frank and Jesse James