About the song
“Pancho and Lefty” by Townes Van Zandt is a timeless classic that tells a poignant tale of friendship, betrayal, and redemption. With its evocative storytelling and haunting melody, the song has captivated audiences for decades, cementing its status as one of Van Zandt’s most iconic compositions.
Written solely by Townes Van Zandt himself, “Pancho and Lefty” first appeared on his 1972 album “The Late Great Townes Van Zandt.” The song quickly gained recognition within the folk and country music communities for its compelling narrative and Van Zandt’s emotive delivery.
“Pancho and Lefty” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, whose rendition became a major hit in 1983, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Van Zandt’s original version, however, remains the quintessential interpretation of the song, showcasing his raw talent as a songwriter and storyteller. While it didn’t achieve significant commercial success upon its initial release, “Pancho and Lefty” has since earned widespread acclaim and has been hailed as one of the greatest country songs of all time.
With its timeless themes and soul-stirring melody, “Pancho and Lefty” continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, reaffirming Townes Van Zandt’s legacy as a masterful musician and storyteller. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of folk and country music or discovering this classic for the first time, “Pancho and Lefty” is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Lyrics
Living on the road, my friend
Was gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron
And your breath as hard as kerosene
You weren’t your mama’s only boy
But her favorite one, it seems
She began to cry when you said goodbye
Sank into your dreams
Pancho was a bandit, boys
His horse was fast as polished steel
Wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel
For Pancho met his match, you know
On the deserts down in Mexico
And nobody heard his dying words
Oh, but that’s the way it goes
And all the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him hang around
Out of kindness, I suppose
And Lefty, he can’t sing the blues
All night long like he used to
The dust that Pancho bit down south
Ended up in Lefty’s mouth
The day they laid poor Pancho low
Lefty split for Ohio
Where he got the bread to go
Oh, there ain’t nobody knows
And all the federales say
They coulda had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose
Well, the poets tell how Pancho fell
And Lefty’s living in a cheap hotel
The desert’s quiet, Cleveland’s cold
So the story ends, we’re told
Pancho needs your prayers, it’s true
Save a few for Lefty too
He just did what he had to do
Now he’s growing old
A few grey federales say
They coulda had him any day
They only let him go so wrong
Out of kindness, I suppose
A few grey federales say
They coulda had him any day
They only let him go so wrong
Out of kindness, I suppose