"Bleeding Kansas" vs. Missouri was a long standing fact of life before and during the Civil War. Incursions, especially from the Missouri side and aimed at those opposed to the "peculiar institution" of slavery, were often swift, brutal and merciless. The worst example, for many, was the ransacking and burning of Lawrence, Kansas, led by William Clark Quantrill.

Quantrill's raiders were perhaps the most notorious of several "bushwhacking" guerilla bands operating outside the military authority of the Confederacy, but with its unofficial blessing. Frank James was an unabashed admirer of Quantrill, as was his younger brother, Jesse. This young "Robin Hood" was more likely filled with hatred and rage than with any altruistic motives.

I always liked the melody of the song and, when much younger and more easily impressed, also liked the lyrics.