Townes Van Zandt — Pancho & Lefty
Album: Late Great Townes van ZandtAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 933
Length: 3:46
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Living on the road my friend,
Is gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron,
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,
And sank into your dreams.
Pancho was a bandit boy,
His horse was fast as polished steel
He wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel.
Pancho met his match you know
On the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dying words,
Ah but that's the way it goes.
All the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose.
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,
There ain't nobody knows
The poets tell how Pancho fell,
And Lefty's living in cheap hotels
The desert's quiet, Cleveland's cold,
And so the story ends we're told
Pancho needs your prayers it's true,
But save a few for lefty too
He only did what he had to do,
And now he's growing old
Is gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron,
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,
And sank into your dreams.
Pancho was a bandit boy,
His horse was fast as polished steel
He wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel.
Pancho met his match you know
On the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dying words,
Ah but that's the way it goes.
All the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose.
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,
There ain't nobody knows
The poets tell how Pancho fell,
And Lefty's living in cheap hotels
The desert's quiet, Cleveland's cold,
And so the story ends we're told
Pancho needs your prayers it's true,
But save a few for lefty too
He only did what he had to do,
And now he's growing old
Comments (168)add comment
Miss my hometown and it's fields that go on all through the valley
That photo is from a session where he sang this song. Slower pace, even better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zprRZ2wFQD4
melzabutch wrote:
Yup
thanks for this great photo melzabutch (looks like ol' Seldom Seen Smith : )
Great Song, great songwriter
Yup
thanks for this great photo melzabutch (looks like ol' Seldom Seen Smith : )
I like it) very nice)
sometimes a song is just AMAZING and this is one
If you want a cold stark heart breaking dose of reality check out Willie Nelson's version of Van Zandt's "Marie" I have it all cued up for you in the link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vAi8-77ktU
Great Song, great songwriter
He was the real thing...
Great song ... from a great Texas songwriter.
I'm hearing tremendous sorrow and pain.
Emmylou will always 'own' this one for me, like Johnny Cash owns Hurt. That said - yeah, lots of emotion in this track. Love it. Brings back memories of a place called the Lakeview Motel (since burned down), Williams Lake BC, Canada - a cowboy/annual stampede town. The Lakeview, being the local honky tonk, featured sooo many acts with this sound and flavour. Takes me wayyy back!!
Emmylou will always 'own' this one for me, like Johnny Cash owns Hurt. That said - yeah, lots of emotion in this track. Love it. Brings back memories of a place called the Lakeview Motel (since burned down), Williams Lake BC, Canada - a cowboy/annual stampede town. The Lakeview, being the local honky tonk, featured sooo many acts with this sound and flavour. Takes me wayyy back!!
hayduke2 wrote:
those were the days
hmmm, this voice conjures strong memories of those little plastic am/fm shoebox size radios playing late night local stations, the djs putting on those wax records put out by hard living artists, ones who you would only hear of now and then from stoner friends, or on other alternative stations, and maybe even be lucky enough to hear an entire album spun, little crackles and all clicking between songs ... shit those were so long ago, but kind of really part of each day the way those artist shared their lives with us
those were the days
Dreadful.
steuss wrote:
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
Thanks for that, steuss.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uM9I-SF6Qk
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
Thanks for that, steuss.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uM9I-SF6Qk
I like Steve's version better.
A Secret. Poncho and Lefty are one in the same person...
Pancho & Lefty were real small, and they couldn't read.
All well noted and now will go bin diving. I've loved this song so many years. steuss wrote:
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
h8rhater wrote:
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
There's probably a hundred reasons why a brilliant songwriter like Steve Earle named his son Townes. Yes, Willie, Merle, Steve, and Emmylou do this one beautifully, but if you want to hear Townes really do it, just him and his guitar when his voice was clear, his fingers agile, and others were just recognizing his genius, check out the fabulous album "Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" (1973). Also has my favorite version of "If I Needed You", another solid 10.
A better studio version of P&L is from "High, Low and In Between".
nance wrote:
He did write it, of course. But he doesn't sing it very well, imo.
awesome song and he sings it like he wrote it
He did write it, of course. But he doesn't sing it very well, imo.
They only let him slip away
out of kindness, I suppose...
out of kindness, I suppose...
awesome song and he sings it like he wrote it
h8rhater wrote:
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
When TVZ died, a musician at my church lit a candle for him & explained to us air guitar players who the greatest songwriter in Texas was. .
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
When TVZ died, a musician at my church lit a candle for him & explained to us air guitar players who the greatest songwriter in Texas was. .
Nice tip of the hat to Towns Van Zandt. Dave Grohl and others, like Steve Earl, gave TVZ a fair bit of tribute on the Austin episode of "Sonic Highways." A series worth watching, if not binging on…
misterbearbaby wrote:
His "version" is the original (everyone else's is a version) and heartfelt was his thing.
I knew, in general terms, who TVZ was (he died in 1997 at 52, from "health problems stemming from years of substance abuse" so they say.) He has a zillion albums; to my surprise I barely ever heard his voice in the last, say, ...50 years. His version of Pancho and Lefty is really heartfelt, you gotta say.
His "version" is the original (everyone else's is a version) and heartfelt was his thing.
1972? Say it ain't so.
hmmm, this voice conjures strong memories of those little plastic am/fm shoebox size radios playing late night local stations, the djs putting on those wax records put out by hard living artists, ones who you would only hear of now and then from stoner friends, or on other alternative stations, and maybe even be lucky enough to hear an entire album spun, little crackles and all clicking between songs ... shit those were so long ago, but kind of really part of each day the way those artist shared their lives with us
Alcohol and Tylenol are a very bad combination.
I knew, in general terms, who TVZ was (he died in 1997 at 52, from "health problems stemming from years of substance abuse" so they say.) He has a zillion albums; to my surprise I barely ever heard his voice in the last, say, ...50 years. His version of Pancho and Lefty is really heartfelt, you gotta say.
musta been grumpy when I gave this a 4. still isn't the best version I heard, even from him (it was a live one) so only a 6.
Lovelovelove!
jruhnke wrote:
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
If you're going to play this song, then play Willie's version. Much better than this one, whether TVZ wrote it or not.
You must mean Willie Nelson AND Merle Haggard's version. I like Steve Earle's version myself but there is no way that Towne's version doesn't stand up to all of them. He wrote it and felt it first.
A highly talented songwriter. Not enough of them these days. It nice to hear how a singer-songwriter envisioned the song, as well as those singers who made it popular.
islander wrote:
and/or Emmylou's....
Nice enough, but this needs Willy Nelson's voice.
and/or Emmylou's....
jruhnke wrote:
I agree.
If you're going to play this song, then play Willie's version. Much better than this one, whether TVZ wrote it or not.
I agree.
If you're going to play this song, then play Willie's version. Much better than this one, whether TVZ wrote it or not.
jjtwister wrote:
Townes' worn-down and softly ironic style of singing better matches the story than Emmy's interpretation, imho But I loves me some EmmyLou!
Great story about Pancho & Lefty. Emmy Lou does it best!
Townes' worn-down and softly ironic style of singing better matches the story than Emmy's interpretation, imho But I loves me some EmmyLou!
Nice enough, but this needs Willy Nelson's voice.
Great story about Pancho & Lefty. Emmy Lou does it best!
Not_Henry_Porter wrote:
Great songwriter, but to me, this pales compared to the Emmylou Harris version.
Have you heard Willie Nelson's version?
Have you heard Willie Nelson's version?
Another first for me on RP.
Muchas gracias. Great song writing.
Muchas gracias. Great song writing.
Great songwriter, but to me, this pales compared to the Emmylou Harris version.
One of the last times I saw Rodney Crowell he closed the show with this song with everyone singing along.
some songs are great whoever sings them
Mr. Van Zandt created many great songs
a shame his life ended early
Mr. Van Zandt created many great songs
a shame his life ended early
moodfood wrote:
Steve Earle does a great version too.
always loved this song and especially Emmylou's version of it.
Steve Earle does a great version too.
This recording is obviously no slouch, but I have a version of this from the Heartworn Highways soundtrack that I prefer infinitely. The tempo fits the mood of the song so much better, IMO.
always loved this song and especially Emmylou's version of it.
One of my favorite all time tunes. 
Thank you Bill!
Love interesting stories...
cohifi wrote:
See, covers can be good too! 9 for me. I should add 1 because Bill & Rebecca play it!
HELL-O , this ain't a cover, townes wrote it. willie & merle covered it.
See, covers can be good too! 9 for me. I should add 1 because Bill & Rebecca play it!
HELL-O , this ain't a cover, townes wrote it. willie & merle covered it.
Poncho and Lefty?
pinto wrote:
Hey, give some kudos to Merle Haggard too. He and Willie both sang that song together.
And THAT is a fantastic version. This version is merely wonderful. 9
Hey, give some kudos to Merle Haggard too. He and Willie both sang that song together.
And THAT is a fantastic version. This version is merely wonderful. 9
sorely missed
need more townes...........
need more townes........... jim1964 wrote:
Hey, give some kudos to Merle Haggard too. He and Willie both sang that song together.
you learn something new every day, here I always thought that this was a Willie Nelson song.
Hey, give some kudos to Merle Haggard too. He and Willie both sang that song together.
Hey Bill, I'd love to hear your version. I can't seem to find it on iTunes. 
Beautiful song no matter who sings it.
It must be an acquired taste. I certainly have not acquired it.
Very nice, never heared this before!
fantastic
Very sexy ... love his voice
Such a great song. Not his best version, but glorious music nonetheless. I once heard Willie end a Farm Aid concert with "wait,one more— I haven't played Pancho & Lefty in a long time." That made my day.
Instant 7 for me on first hearing.
...and sank into your dreams...
Like Emmylou's cover best...
Thank you god(dess) for Townes. ..a wild card throwing cowboy, singing dusty roads and love songs till his dyin day
Deserves more air time. So did Townes.
So many great versions and muscicians who play this tune: A tribute to Townes.
TVZ's son still plays the occasional one-off gig here in Austin. He's not bad. Looks just like his dad.
tovarisch wrote:
My thoughts exactly !
Well said.
When covered by the young Emmy Lou Harris this song is exquisite perfection... Townes singing can make one wince while remembering that performance. NEVERTHELESS... brilliant songwriting.
My thoughts exactly !
Well said.
When covered by the young Emmy Lou Harris this song is exquisite perfection... Townes singing can make one wince while remembering that performance. NEVERTHELESS... brilliant songwriting.
Worst singer.....evah! He's great though, great song!
GLORIOUS.
Just perfect, thanks for playing it...
and it seems to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind
never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in
and i would have liked to know you but i was just a kid
your candle burned out long before your legend ever did
never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in
and i would have liked to know you but i was just a kid
your candle burned out long before your legend ever did
Once as I was driving west from Boston, WUMB (folk radio in Boston) played a long series of covers of this song until I lost the signal. Loads of others have recorded this song and as far as I can tell, each version works well.
One of the best country songs ever written.
Such a nice feel to this song................... And a great mix on the bass too
From the first notes I heard of this song I knew I'd like it, no matter what or who it was. I always thought Pancho & Lefty was Willie and Waylon...? See hwat you learn at 4:57 in the morning!
Hannio wrote:
Yeah, but I highly doubt it is rural America that listens to RP. Could it be that this is a good song and RP listeners recognize it as such?
Bad comment, I am in the rural west. And I love RP. Now I wouldnt be assuming. Makes an ass out of you and me! Look up Globe, AZ sometime, its a small town with its economy sustained by ranching and mining. Pretty much the rural west.
And I turned several people into RP followers from my small rural town.
Yeah, but I highly doubt it is rural America that listens to RP. Could it be that this is a good song and RP listeners recognize it as such?
Bad comment, I am in the rural west. And I love RP. Now I wouldnt be assuming. Makes an ass out of you and me! Look up Globe, AZ sometime, its a small town with its economy sustained by ranching and mining. Pretty much the rural west.
And I turned several people into RP followers from my small rural town.
jim1964 wrote:
Mr. Van Zandt is heavily covered, often by Mr. Nelson: the man knows a good song when he hears it. My favorite Willie cover of a Townes song is 'Marie', one of the saddest songs ever written.
you learn something new every day, here I always thought that this was a Willie Nelson song.
Mr. Van Zandt is heavily covered, often by Mr. Nelson: the man knows a good song when he hears it. My favorite Willie cover of a Townes song is 'Marie', one of the saddest songs ever written.
I love this old folk music with the wonderful stories!
Bill - Thanks for playing the original.
jim1964 wrote:
See, covers can be good too! 9 for me. I should add 1 because Bill & Rebecca play it!
you learn something new every day, here I always thought that this was a Willie Nelson song.
See, covers can be good too! 9 for me. I should add 1 because Bill & Rebecca play it!
superfido wrote:
Well, true as far as land area goes. But the "typical" American lives in a city in the northeast.
Fortunately, even those people appreciate great songwriting.
Because very much of America is still very rural. 
Well, true as far as land area goes. But the "typical" American lives in a city in the northeast.
Fortunately, even those people appreciate great songwriting.
you learn something new every day, here I always thought that this was a Willie Nelson song.
superfido wrote:
Because very much of America is still very rural.
Yeah, but I highly doubt it is rural America that listens to RP. Could it be that this is a good song and RP listeners recognize it as such?
Because very much of America is still very rural.
Yeah, but I highly doubt it is rural America that listens to RP. Could it be that this is a good song and RP listeners recognize it as such?
Thanks Bill... this is what makes RP.
Thanks, Bill. Takes me to a time and place that was very full.
but that's the way it goes...
Townes Van Zandy performing "Pancho & Lefty" in 1993 on TNN's "American Music Shop".
Emmylou Harris - Pancho & Lefty Live (1977)
"The beauty of this voice and this woman occupies our attention completely when listening to her and all else fades. We should not however forget the writer of this song, the great poetic Townes Van Zandt. It is a tribute to the high level of taste of Emmylou Harris that she was one of the first artists to cover this steller song by Van Zandt only 4 years after he wrote it, long before other artists recognized Van Zandt's great artistry. Sometimes fate is kind and greatness finds greatness. "
"a song written by Townes Van Zandt"
Bill – you need to add Steve Earle's "Fort Worth Blues" to your playlist, in honor of van Zandt... a late great songwriter.
His version is heartbreaking as is the story of his life. And yes, Townes Van Zandt did write Pancho and Lefty, many have covered.
DarthKrusty wrote:
Hoyt wrote some great stuff, but he didn't pen this one. Townes Van Zandt. And rightly credited on the liner notes of all the versions I own.
Sorry, Bill—Townes Van Zandt did not write this song.... I'm pretty sure Hoyt Axton did. Remember the father from the original Gremlins movie? Yeah, that guy. he also wrote "Joy to the World" and several other songs that other artists made famouns, like Steppenwolf...
Hoyt wrote some great stuff, but he didn't pen this one. Townes Van Zandt. And rightly credited on the liner notes of all the versions I own.
most of the songs in the last thirty minutes are in my own song collection. Is this is a good thing or a bad thing? I am not sure. 
This is actually the first time that I feel like I am not hearing anything 'new' while listening to RP. RP has been great for turning me onto some new talented artists and I like hearing the random good old song. Thanks!
I should renew my subscription, eh?
This is actually the first time that I feel like I am not hearing anything 'new' while listening to RP. RP has been great for turning me onto some new talented artists and I like hearing the random good old song. Thanks!
I should renew my subscription, eh?
jjbix wrote:
He was, buddy. Townes was the real deal. Great song.
dude looks pained. . . . .
He was, buddy. Townes was the real deal. Great song.
dude looks pained. . . . .
Danimal174 wrote:
See, what happens is, people on RP have the ability to rate songs from a 1 to a 10, 10 being the highest. All of those ratings are then added together and divided by the total number of ratings to give you an average rating.
Great response!
This is the first I have heard this tune. Awesome. 10.
See, what happens is, people on RP have the ability to rate songs from a 1 to a 10, 10 being the highest. All of those ratings are then added together and divided by the total number of ratings to give you an average rating.
Great response!
This is the first I have heard this tune. Awesome. 10.
Wasted all those years growing up in Houston not appreciating his magic...back when I could seen him for free.
wrangler wrote:
YOU SAID IT WRANGLER — AWESOME
can't find my way home > pancho & lefty
two 10's in a row - we're on a roll!
YOU SAID IT WRANGLER — AWESOME
can't find my way home > pancho & lefty
two 10's in a row - we're on a roll!
can't find my way home > pancho & lefty
two 10's in a row - we're on a roll!
two 10's in a row - we're on a roll!
rdo wrote:
See, what happens is, people on RP have the ability to rate songs from a 1 to a 10, 10 being the highest. All of those ratings are then added together and divided by the total number of ratings to give you an average rating.
how does this get an average rating of 8?
See, what happens is, people on RP have the ability to rate songs from a 1 to a 10, 10 being the highest. All of those ratings are then added together and divided by the total number of ratings to give you an average rating.
Sorry, Bill—Townes Van Zandt did not write this song.... I'm pretty sure Hoyt Axton did. Remember the father from the original Gremlins movie? Yeah, that guy. he also wrote "Joy to the World" and several other songs that other artists made famouns, like Steppenwolf...
Imkirok wrote:
The album cover picture looks like Townes got panchoed in the lefty.
I swear there is a country song called 'It Ain't Right That Lefty's Gone'
Edit - Just checked that - the song is called Lefty's gone - It's by George Strait - the line is - 'It's not right but Lefty's gone'
Edit - Just checked that - the song is called Lefty's gone - It's by George Strait - the line is - 'It's not right but Lefty's gone'
The album cover picture looks like Townes got panchoed in the lefty.
allways glad to hear this song, am partial to Willie and the Hag and Emmy Lou does a great job but it is Townes song and he does a great job am glad that another singer song writer like gets his just due , glad that RP plays Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen ,Willis Alan Ramsey, Terry Allen etc would love to hear some B W Stevenson and Steve Fromholtz
rdo wrote:
Because very much of America is still very rural.
how does this get an average rating of 8?
Because very much of America is still very rural.
coldatlantic wrote:
While their version (and Merles vocal particularly) rates very high, almost as high as Emmylou's - this, in my opinion, is the pinnacle.
Townes captured this perfectly.
Gotta agree - you can't beat Willie and Merle on this one.
While their version (and Merles vocal particularly) rates very high, almost as high as Emmylou's - this, in my opinion, is the pinnacle.
Townes captured this perfectly.
Gotta agree - you can't beat Willie and Merle on this one.
how does this get an average rating of 8?
Odyzzeuz wrote:
No, actually it's a great Townes Van Zandt tune.
Yikes TVZ fer sure!
It's probably been said, I didn't look clear down the list, but Emmylou Harris does a gorgeous version of this song on her Album "Luxury Liner." In my opinion, it's one her finest and maybe her last excellent album.
jpfueler wrote:
poor version.
The voice is wrong.
Yeah, you always hate it when a great writer ruins his own song. And I see you're living in Texas? Maybe you're in the wrong state?
merkabah wrote:
Classic Guy Clark tune...beauty!
No, actually it's a great Townes Van Zandt tune.
Never thought I'd hear TVZ here -- or anywhere! We had a guy over at the house the other day to do some work, and he heard TVZ on the radio and gave us a discount on that basis alone. As an Austinite, I say long live the late great Townes Van Zandt. Best songwriter ever.
reading his wiki, he was subjected to insulin shock therapy, and the physical impact of that can easily shorten ones life as well.