About the song
“Pancho & Lefty” is a timeless country music classic that has captivated audiences for decades. Written by the legendary Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt in 1972, the song gained widespread recognition through a 1983 album by outlaw country musicians Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. The album, initially titled “Poncho & Lefty” on the cover and inner sleeve, was later corrected to the intended “Pancho & Lefty.” This iconic duet, backed by Don Markham of The Strangers, has become an enduring staple of country music.
The song tells the poignant story of a Mexican bandit named Pancho and his mysterious associate Lefty, whose betrayal ultimately leads to Pancho’s demise. The lyrics are rich in detail, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their fates. The song’s narrative is woven together with a haunting melody, making it a standout track in the country music canon.
The story of “Pancho & Lefty” is deeply rooted in the country music tradition, with its themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the American West. The song’s success can be attributed to the masterful performances of Haggard and Nelson, who brought their unique styles and voices to the track. The song’s impact was immediate, topping the Billboard country music singles chart and cementing its place as a country music classic.
The album, which also features the Top 10 hit “Reasons to Quit,” received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the collaboration between Haggard and Nelson. Music critic Robert Christgau noted that Haggard’s vocals were particularly noteworthy, stating that he “hasn’t sung with so much care in years, which is obviously Nelson’s doing.” The album’s success led to a second collaboration between Haggard and Nelson, Seashores of Old Mexico, in 1987. “Pancho & Lefty” remains a beloved country music classic, with its timeless themes and memorable melody continuing to captivate audiences to this day.
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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