Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard - Pancho and Lefty

[pawnshops]

Willie doesn't seem to be trying too hard here - he's singing flat and out of time - maybe it was a bad day.

[TheKevo01]

Wow! Two of the greatest country music artists ever! Working together on one of the most interesting songs i`ve ever listened to.Thanks to both for making our lives better through their talents.

[bgoll1]

Great Song!

[MrMikec2112]

love this song it 's sad to me

[watkmi]

country music radio stations are not allowed to play this music. they are not in the group of approved songwriters in nashville thats why country music sucks so bad

[TheMjmarcos]

one of my favorite songs of all time

[pascalbiker]

2 GEANTS de la country music !!!! good !!!!

[schwabbie87]

for all of you who talk about loving this song... willie covered it... check out the REAL  version by townes van zandt who ACTUALLY WROTE the song... and youll be thinkin again about all you nice comments about willie

[schwabbie87]

wow...the townes version puts this to shame... what a joke... shows you how terrible covers are... write your own songs willy... you suck!

[bigbadfitter1]

@schwabbie87 Do you have any idea how many songs Willie's written?

He's been writing hits since the early 60's, kid, where have you been?

[shadowalker28128]

2 great American entertainers

[shorthairsrule]

I love Willie and Merle! Long live them both! I'm listening to this with my 3 year old and showing them who and what they are. Long live the country boys:)

[Southernborn761]

Buy a ticket & Help willie pay off the IRS?? Am I reading this right? Willie did a show in the late 90's. he didnt get paid for this show. But it was the show that Willie & IRS EVEN. He didnt owe them anything anymore. Well except taxes on future earning. Why didnt they go after the guy that Willie thought was paying his Taxes. But he was stealing from Willie... He did the show the day. A pre-record Barbara Walter's Special aired. I'm pretty sure it was about Willie and the IRS being even.DONE

[lindatintop]

People slow down as we age, that is nature, talent never slows down.... talent is genius and it never ages. Only a few have true talent - Willie and Merle have LOTS of true talent and their will live on for a long time to come.

[vicvic964]

old country music don' t fade it's just memory n its a legend to the singers merle n nelson wow classic one here in the benguet prov of the philippines we salute you the best

[ZaPPaKaTT787]

if u like this song be sure to check out the Townes Van Zandt videos on here, he wrote this one and many more just as good and better.well worth a few clicks on the mouse..

[kellyswanzy1]

Ali, Frazier, Holmes, Norton, Foreman.....Haggard, Nelson, Jennings, Hank jr, Cash

[boudina1000]

Je trouve vraiment ces deux grand geant chanteur musicien, au plus haut niveau, leurs voix donne des frissons,

[steptorand]

Two of the coolest cats in country music singing one of the best songs ever. What the hell is not to like?

[67jkerr]

Who's puttin Willie down? Point them out.

[Bronko999]

Merle and Willie are awesome but this performance is pathetic. They're resting on their laurels here.

[domovision]

@Bronko999 Let's see how you perform when you're in your 70's...

[oofak07]

@Bronko999 You know what? quite honestly if they are resting on their laurels here they certainly have earned it. two of the greatest country stats of the past 50 years dude. they can do whatever they want. Plus they are old men so obviously they aren't going to play with the same vigor they did in the seventies. Have some respect asshole.

[Rangerett]

Who would

dislike' the most down-to-earth greatest country singers and songwriters ever?!! Idjits and dumbells.

[lpuncho]

My only gripe is I wish some of my favorites , like these two would just try to convince us that they are not bored to death singing these old songs. I bought the records because I like the original arrangements. All I ask is they do the stuff like it was intended. Age is no excuse. they still have the voice and the talent God gave them. Use it.

[towbeezgrl1]

REAL music alright!! this is an all-time great!! long live Willie, long live merle!

they are the best!  it's unfortunate that many are too narrow minded to open themselves up to this kind of music. i feel sorry for anyone that hasn't been exposed to americana.....

[LakeWorthReggie]

Another great song by the late great Townes Van Zandt

[MSFOXYBOYNO1]

how dare you put Willie down..,bunch off knobheads!!!!!,always my main man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Totengrab2012]

this is REAL music !!! Willie you're the Best !!! I'll love till I die

[thelinearpractiseday]

"I can't stand singing in time anymore." - Willie

[HansBooBee]

BB King was very similar, he cant play his guitar while singing.

[outlaw7338]

Pancho and this guys....great song!!!!

[STRUMMERBOY1975]

Love this SOng..... & Thanks Alot for allowing my video response.....:)

[unclebucktattoo]

I can't listen to "new"country, makes me gag. These are legends, enjoy while you can

[Vovk3]

People who criticize Willie for having long hair are cunts who don't deserve an opinion.

[56Goodguy]

Willie and Merle... a few of the "GREAT's" still on stage able to do what they do best! May those two remain in our hearts forever along with all who have gone before them!

[daKaiser66]

...and who cares? I love him too. He opened my door to country music. Thank you Willie. God bless you

[MrMikeyT88]

thumbs UP if you'd like to sit next to Willy at the Barber SHop

[Vovk3]

@MrMikeyT88

That can come off as really cunt-like or not. Care to clear that?

[beautifulsarah100]

Two of the greats. Just awesome!

[galegregory97comcast]

YouTube controlling info and comments now, numbers are not correct. Thanks for Info I can not see this from my computers.

[Jones60100]

If you find and watch the CMT Video for this song, Willie is the first face you see, then Merle at a distance, then a close up of Townes in a Federale uniform. Townes appears throughout the video, then at the end he is playing a guitar as they all sit around a table singing. Really, he was a tortued Genius if there ever was one. Borne into money (Van Zandt County was named after his great grandfather) He had no desire or love for money. I'll know I'm in Heaven if I see him someday. Someday : )GJ

[Jones60100]

I was born in '60, and my Dad taught me to play guitar when I was a real little kid. After I got tired of "Classic Rock", the best guitar player that I've ever known had mellowed out too, and was playing some country music. He asked me to work their board, and there were 2 songs that they played that I really loved. This and Silver Wings. Townes Van Zandt wrote this one. Check out his life story. Oh, I don't really consider pot a "drug". I've never seen it warp people like drugs. G Jones: )4real

[Aquapello1967]

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard two of my life's heros always and forever.

[MrFlyingB]

Townes Van Zandt's timing was somewhat different also.maybe because of the smack!

[deadenddude]

Willie is still playing that same guitar. He's been playing that thing for like 40 years.

[chabeworks]

this is the way the song was really meant to be

[vmaninblackv]

The timing on this version is more like the way Townes van Zandt performed it than Hag and Willie's radio hit... and Van Zandt wrote it. I personally like the radio release better, but there is nothing wrong with timing on this performance... it IS what they intended it to be.

[EricDavidFloyd]

what is willie's rush? Is he double parked? Or perhaps he knows a pack IRS agents are going to be arriving soon.

[poppy3211000]

This one of the best flicks of Lefty and Poncho, for ever

[jake193588]

Awsome song

[gravemusk]

Bank robbers

[HansBooBee]

Best part is Merle entering the song!

[free484]

too bad this song is pro snitching

[RLM575]

What a great version of Pancho & Lefty. The older Willie gets the closer he gets to Townes original quirky timing. Those of you not appreciating the great job Willie and Merle do on this version should listen to TVZ do it ... about 50 times.

PS: I love that Tele Merle!

[chiefmusician]

Willie's insistence on ignoring the meter of a song, drives me nuts. He also doesn't even bother hitting the right notes on the guitar anymore. But you gotta love Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.

[babigirl672003]

We seen Willie at the Grand Casino in Gulfport Ms and his guitar had a hole in the guitar. My hubby said omg look at the guitar. He loved his guitar. And my hubby played guitars or any instrument you can put his hand on . I miss hearing my husband play guitar. I love you Ron and please R.I.P

[azkid49]

@babigirl672003 Oh sweety my heart goes out to you! But never forget the music he played!! Yes my brother is in heaven probably they are both pickin with one heck of jam session!! Do you have any of his music? My neice has my brothers guitar which was one of the orginal Gibsons!! So just remember those beautiful memories!!

[pumpsiegr]

Two national treasures. How could anyone give this a thumbs down? That looks like Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson helping out with the chorus.

[oldcar555]

the best

[shinyguts]

Man, of all the singers that ever were, Willie Nelson and Merle are two of the 10 very best that ever lived. No rock,pop,whatever singers can ever come close to them (Bob Dylan is a disgrace,but like the worthless Beatles,they appeared at the right time in their time.Oherwise they suck dEEck)

[Hornadayfan]

Willie's guitar looks so old that Jesus could have played it...

[jx14aby]

This song makes no sense.

[lanes58]

@Helotes420 You're right, it is his phrasing. But the phrasing affects his meter, and it makes it almost impossible for someone to sing harmony with him. I don't know if I'd call it genius, the musicians in Nashville have been joking about it for years. And Waylon used to say he couldn't count.

[brentde7]

i believe this was recorded at the Rosemont theater few years back,a friend and i where there that night,i since lost that friend JASON not a day goes by i don't think of him,we met Willies son and granddaughter nice folks

[SuperFrankypanky]

willie doesnt give a shit that hes makin this song sound like shit and hes rushing it so he can get back to his weed in the bus!

[amankimb]

Willie has his own style and is a county music legend. I have loved him since I was 7 years old.  Merle is kickass, as well. They just have different styles. I appreciate them both.

[firweaver]

LEGENDS IN EVERY SENCE OF THE WORD

[ojibway69]

who the hell are the 8 people who dislike this..... maybe. Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Shania Twain, Jason Alden, Toby Keith, Billy Ray and Martina Mcbride????

[john9944]

Nice version of the classic. Made better by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and the great Texas song writer Freddy Powers on harmony and the uber-tasty Mickey Rapheal blowing sad.

[MrPicroute]

Beautiful song ! But, too fast, of course ...... Big mistake !

[paintballme2]

@MrPicroute I agree with you! LOL Damn Willie you late for a another gig? LOL Relax and sing it right ! :)

[drummadave60]

back when you could listen to the record or cd and it sounded the same as live because they didnt soup it up with voice inhanser, this is the way it should be

[piperathegates2112]

@drummadave60 you are very right about that voice enhancers and everything like that these days, but this isn't necessarily a good example. This definitely does not sound the same as the record. This version is way too fast and pretty sloppy lol..and doesn't come close to the original recording in my opinion. But nonetheless, its just great to see two legends together on stage!

[drummadave60]

@piperathegates2112 yeah i understand what your gettin at with this song but just when you here willie in whiskey river live, theres just nothing like it you don't have that with most artists today and i really wish it was cause this here is the best music there ever was and ever will be. i love these two artists and i dont know what im gonna do when they are gone.

[JDoubleOP]

As long as i live, Willie plays that guitar....:)

[lanes58]

I love Merle's singing. He looks frustrated tho when he tries to sing harmony with Willy's atrociously bad timing problem. An impossible task.

[1974plowman]

@lanes58 willie don`t have a timing problem..he walks to the beat of a different drummer.

[lanes58]

@1974plowman Yeah he definitely does. He started singing this way years ago, with this out of sync phrasing to be different. He's been doing it this way for so long, I doubt he's capable of following meter.

[animaldan]

@lanes58 Poor idiot...

[75Bird455]

@1974plowman

Willy is a flat out idiot when it comes to timing, and regardless of what drummer he 's walking too - he only makes himself out to look retarded. I dig the man's voice, songwriting talent, and personality, but good grief - keep a beat!

[DUNKONE4ME]

@75Bird455 Horrible Willie! Sing the notes and on the beat, please!

[HYPNOTICVIDEO]

@DUNKONE4ME You must like Disco 

[gingervytis]

@1974plowman Exactly right. The non-musician would not understand.

[jlindemann123]

@lanes58 Wille has his own timing...........needless to say. Great song......

[Bamaboompa]

@lanes58 lol. Willie's got a metronome in his head unlike anybody else's.

[lanes58]

@Bamaboompa Willy actually does a very nice version of this song with Bob Dylan. He uses normal phrasing and it's my favorite rendition of this cool song. They sound good together.

[BonnieBranson]

@lanes58 well, thats just the way songwriters sing it. Willies an all time great song writer . I wouldn't want him any other way.

[lanes58]

@BonnieBranson  But Willy didn't write this song. Townes Van Zandt did, and he sings it the way it was meant to be sung.

[ant67hony]

@lanes58 putting willie down is just sad,which tells me you and your thumbs up pals are just sad bastards too.long live willie,long live merle and god bless the highwaymen that have gone before

[GrigoriZhukov]

@ant67hony yeah, I've noticed over the last 40+ years of listening to willy, the ones who don't like him are all no skill no talent no brains all hat and no cattle, BUMS.

[charismatickarma]

@ant67hony Long live and God bless is right...the Highwaymen will always be with us..."Or I may be a single drop of rain, but I will remain. And I'll be back again and again and again..." -The Highwaymen

[judyfayegroves]

@ant67hony Thank you so kindly for saying those words. God Bless Merle and Willie. If they go to me the music dies. And that is so sad to think of.

[hitcher177]

@lanes58 - I have to agree - but I alkso agree with 1974ploughman - Willie is in a different world - a wonderful world

[lukinbactex]

@lanes58 Wrong... they do it a little different everytime they sing it.... don't let your imagination run away .... they aren't trying to make the mona lisa... they are just doing their routine, trying ti make a buck !

[HYPNOTICVIDEO]

@lanes58 Really? He plays guitar ,writes songs and became an american icon and you think Willie has atrociously bad timing? I guess you have something against Willie Nelson

[lanes58]

@HYPNOTICVIDEO Actually I really like Willie. Been to many of his concerts. Even tho he didn't write this song, he's a great song writer. As many times as he's been arrested for drugs tho, American icon might be pushing it. Blame it on the wacky tobacky, or Willie just being Willie... it doesn't change the fact that because of his inconsistent phrasing, backing him up vocally has got to be a task.

[HYPNOTICVIDEO]

@lanes58 I don't know who qualifies more. And you may be right but fans are not keeping score on him. Many a country Western musicians have done their share of drugs, Willie don't hide his pot use but I see nothing wrong with his smoking his weed.

[HYPNOTICVIDEO]

@lanes58 Also thanks for the info. I might not agree on everything people say but sometimes I learn a few things

[KLUNKET]

@lanes58 - Willie most certainly is an American Icon beyond question. His is most of the most recognizable faces in the world. I am not a big fan of drugs, but I am a HUGE fan of Willie Nelson, and do not hold the drug use against him. Many of the greats of all time were junkies beyong imagination. Elvis is a prime example, Ray Charles, Waylon...& Look at the man whom they call "the greatest living Country singer" George Jones... He did enough drugs to KILL Willie Nelson 10 times over

[Grefeguitarist]

@KLUNKET

I didn't know Willie did drugs.

[KLUNKET]

@Grefeguitarist -are you serious? Willie has been smoking pot for...well since FOREVER!! And,he is very open about it.Has even been arrested many times in recent years as well as in the past for having drugs on him.He used to drink and do other drugs,but he quit all that & just sticks to the pot now. He went on Larry King last year and told Larry he was high during the interview! It is even alledged that he was caught smoking pot at the White House! Willie is just Willie lol. I still love him.

[TheUtubeisgood]

@lanes58 Dam, that's what Willie was thinkin.

[dawnjakeleah]

@lanes58 I agree lol Dolly was singing with Willie once and she said, "Willie you really can't sing". He has his own timing for sure.

[grundoon51]

Great version of this song, but Merle looks like I feel these days---somebody with a lotta miles on him. Willie looks like Willie's always looked.

[bubbah671]

@grundoon51 merle is hitting it hard now. he has earned his wings and some.

[grundoon51]

@bubbah671 Amen to that, but damn he sure looks different from those early album covers

[cornelrusan]

2 of the greats

[martywhitevan]

why does willie sing so fast now days?



[angelofdeath2874]

@martywhitevan hes high, he thinks hes singing slower. lol

[martywhitevan]

@angelofdeath2874 i think you are correct..:)

[spdykat]

don't take the fact that Willie's sung with Toby as an endorsement of Toby's dubious talent; I think Willie has done a duet with my dog, he's kind of the frank sinatra of country in that respect, but I think he rocks.

[22dimp]

The older they get , the more they are appreciated... Tooooo goooood

[22dimp]

The older they get , the more they are appreciated...

[bigholmes95]

I love that old dope smokin hillbilly. I'll take the day off when he passes. Maybe 2 or 3.

[yeshuahfullofit]

" Who's Gonna' Fill Their Shoes? Who's gonna' stand that tall? Who's gonna' sing the 'Opry', and the 'Wabash Cannonball' ? Who's gonna' sing their heart and soul, to get to you and me? Oh, I wonder, who's gonna' fill their shoes? Oh, I wonder, who's gonna' fill their....shoes? '" -- George Jones

[MYRMIDION]

How does he make that crappy beat up guitar sound so sweet?

[someguy8390]

@MYRMIDION he loves it and it loves him back

[jagerfaust2009]

5 Dislikes?????

Where's "Dirty Harry" when you need him....

[zloyobar]

Years of smokin' weed see what happens.

What a sad performance......

[MidwestSniper]

@zloyobar Funny you say that Mr. I'm a Bureaucratic son of a bitch. Smoking weed did nothing to Willie besides coming up with the greatest fucking music known to fucking man you fucking kike! Willie is most like baked as fuck in this video! And hey, he probably sounds the best he ever has! So suck and dick and go fuck up this country! Fag loving douche

[graconis]

i hear that bud you cant beat willie and merle

[Dizziebees]

Just the best! I love Willie and Waylon!

[duketube100]

in the end........the gypsies and hippies had it right...........cause we all go away..........but conforming too much is a wastes of time..........

conform..another word for control......

this song RULES!

[dolly244]

How many miles on willie's guitar? Peace

[KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

great song but there time is over.. It will never beat the original back in the day when they first did it...

[venazure]

Willy come to the Dakota Magic Casino n bring Merle. Merle came to the Magic once but i had to work and could see him. It would be great if u could come to sing this song with merle, cos of my brother n my dad.

[clearyourthirdeye]

worst guitar solo ever at 2:30

[mkworkman]

4:33 YouTube video: Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard singing Pancho and Lefty; song by Townes Van Zandt.

March 7, 1944: birth of Townes Van Zandt, American musician and songwriter (d. 1997)

[babsanfredrik]

GREAT babsanfredrik in sweden

[JIMMYACURA]

THIS IS THE REAL COUNTRY MUSIC, LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS. 

[darthcamronius]

Ya I know my grammars off and I missed a word I'm a grammar Nazi myself I would say ask my frends but u don't know em. I just don't care about spelling and grammar wen I'm doin this stuff. I would hav actually replied 2 u but I did this on my iPod and I don't know if u can do that. I hope u c this

[darthcamronius]

I'm sort f a fan of Willie and I really love that song and I don't really know who Merle haggard is but Willie doesn't hav a sense of time. He was satin all th lines too fast and he came in rely on every one. Also, he didn't sing any of the pitches correctly except for the higher loud ones. I don't get it! What's happened?

[MrCrittiper]

@darthcamronius I'm sorry you had that experience. Y'know, your spelling and grammar are off? Anyways, age... time hits the hardest blow. Everybody has on and off nights too, I saw Willie a while back and it was excellent, try again. Steeped in spirit and character to the eyes.

[gtinms]

@darthcamronius

Willie has NEVER been able to keep time. Thats kinda signature with him. Listen to Willie enough and you'll see this. What is the correct time, anyway? The album version?

Willie is just Willie, plain and simple. Everything he does is right and you don't mess with perfection. All you can ask from him is to be entertained, and that he does greatly!

[zaccarroll72]

what a fukin great song!!!!!

[Beezerjuice]

It doesn't get any better than Merle,Willie and a little weed. Ha!

[EvilJRoss]

Willies guitar is a national treasure. When Willie is done playing it should be enshrined.

[barrydeez]

I wonder how you two made such a song, that can literally stop me in my tracks....Out of kindness I suppose.

[trampymou]

pancho needs your prayers its true,but save a few for lefty too...pinche lefty ..cabron

[9mmbigpapa]

tempo is way off the song is rushed but willie somtimes is the speed master i have seen him do this before thtas RAY BENSON ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL with them on stage got bless and long live these music greats

[youngandpoor]

is this sped up?

it seems too fast!

[punkmaggie]

2:27 is the best!

[kraigrrr]

@punkmaggie greatnessssssss!!!!

[noordmanpj]

@punkmaggie