About the song
Let’s delve into the rich tapestry of Americana music with Townes Van Zandt’s iconic ballad “Pancho and Lefty.” This song, penned by the masterful songwriter Townes Van Zandt himself, tells the tale of two outlaw figures, Pancho and Lefty, with all the depth and nuance characteristic of Van Zandt’s storytelling prowess. Originally released on his 1972 album “The Late Great Townes Van Zandt,” “Pancho and Lefty” has since become one of his most celebrated compositions.
While the song didn’t achieve significant commercial success upon its initial release, it has garnered widespread acclaim over the years, becoming a staple in the Americana music canon. Townes Van Zandt’s evocative lyrics, paired with his soulful delivery, imbue “Pancho and Lefty” with a timeless quality that continues to resonate with listeners of all generations.
The song’s popularity received a boost with its inclusion in the influential documentary “Heartworn Highways,” which showcased the burgeoning outlaw country music scene of the 1970s. This exposure helped solidify “Pancho and Lefty” as a classic within the genre.
Decades later, “Pancho and Lefty” remains a beloved favorite among fans of Americana and folk music, admired for its rich storytelling and haunting melody. Whether you’re a longtime aficionado of Townes Van Zandt’s music or discovering his work for the first time, “Pancho and Lefty” is sure to leave a lasting impression with its timeless tale of friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
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Lyrics
Living on the road my friend
Was gonna keep you free and clean
And now you wear your skin like iron
And your breath as hard as kerosene
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
All the Federales say
They could have had him any day
We only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose
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
All the Federales say
We could have had him any day
We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose
A few gray Federales say
We could have had him any day
We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose