"Pancho and Lefty" - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

"Pancho and Lefty" - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

"Pancho and Lefty" is a folk song written by Townes Van Zandt. Van Zandt first recorded it for his 1972 album, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Emmylou Harris then covered the song for her 1977 album, Luxury Liner and the song became a number one country hit in 1983 when Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson adopted it as the title track of their duet album Pancho & Lefty.
The song tells the story of a Mexican bandit named Pancho and a more enigmatic character, Lefty. The song tells of Pancho's death and implies that he was betrayed by his associate Lefty who was paid off by the Mexican federales.
Although many people assume the song is about the famous Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, Van Zandt denied this. The lyrics are not reconcilable with any historic details of Villa's life and death. It is far more likely, as with many of Van Zandt's songs, that the song is about himself.
In an interview, Van Zandt recalled, "We got stopped by these two policeman and...they said 'What do you do for a living?', and I said, 'Well, I'm a songwriter', and they both kind of looked around like 'pitiful, pitiful', and so on to that I added, 'I wrote that song Pancho and Lefty. You ever heard that song Pancho and Lefty? I wrote that', and they looked back around and they looked at each other and started grinning, and it turns out that their squad car, you know their partnership, it was two guys, it was an Anglo and a Hispanic, and it turns out, they're called Pancho and Lefty..so I think maybe that's what it's about, those two guys..I hope I never see them again."

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[saintiseven]

Guitars in the night, cigarettes smell, and the legend lived on into the night. The songs could be heard. Their ghost's rode off into the sunset. Their energy still lives on.

[MrExcellinkus]

I've listened to this cover many times, and have always thought it was the definitive version of the song. Don't get me wrong, Willy and Merle did this brilliantly, and Willy's guitar solo is a masterpiece. But I heard the original version of this song by its author, Townes Van Zandt, only a few days ago, and was amazed at its raw beauty and originality. This IS the original, the real thing and it stands on its own.

[steve naderman]

Grew up in the 80's listening to this music. What great memories!

[mike x]

for many different reasons....alot of us...will also die single...just look at the positive...ya got ya health for the most part...and that ain't too bad...there is one good thing about being single....everyone always agrees on whats for dinner....lol.

[mike x]

and my respect to you too..Merle Haggard

[mike x]

willie nelson...you really are awesome...i love this song...and no...this is not the first time i heard it...but i do love it

[avedic]

wtf? also, what's wrong with femininity?

[michael schodeberg]

were have they all going!! .. It seens like yesterday! hang in there willie love you BROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Timothy Maynard]

Ain't that the truth...bless your soul.

[Timothy Maynard]

It should be said in mellow overtones, the American spirit is dying. The legends are fading away like the forgotten memories of an industrial age. It's all about computers and synthetic intelligence. Where is the soul of America? Where is the cowboy of the plains? Gone...lost in the swirl of political correctness. David Crockett, I feel your pain...numbing silence.

[TheEver41]

Good bye George Jones