Jesse has not received much attention from black Americans. Odum found only one song which was "in any way complete."

FRANK AND JESSE JAMES

O mother, I'm dreaming; O mother I'm dreaming,
O mother I'm dreaming 'bout Frank an' Jesse James.

Jesse James had a wife, she mourned all her life,
Jesse James children cried for bread.

Went up on the wall, thought I heard a call,
Thought I heard a call 'bout Frank an' Jesse James.

H. W. Odum and Guy B. Johnson, 1925 (1968 reprint), "The Negro and His Songs," pp. 209-210, Negro Universities Press.