Townes Van Zandt: Pancho and Lefty (Cover)

http://www.NeptunesCar.com Written by Townes Van Zandt. Performed by Holly Hanson.

I've been learning all I can about the late Townes Van Zandt. Here is one of his more well-known songs, "Pancho and Lefty". (You can tell it's Fall in New England. The steam radiator is hissing and popping just off camera.)

Pancho and Lefty

Living on the road my friend
Was gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron
Your breath's 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 boys
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
And, nobody heard his dying words
But that's the way it goes

And, all the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him hang around
Out of kindness I suppose

Well, 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

And, all the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness I suppose

Well, the poets tell how Pancho fell
And, Lefty's living in a cheap hotel
The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold,
And so the story ends were told

Pancho needs your prayers it's true
But save a few for Lefty too
He just did what he had to do
And now he's growing old

A few gray Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him go so wrong
Out of kindness I suppose

A few gray Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him go so wrong
Out of kindness I suppose

http://www.NeptunesCar.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Holly Hanson
• Townes Van Zandt
• Pancho and Lefty
• Folk
• acoustic
• Country
• Neptune's Car
• Emmylou Harris

[laurentussey]

Hi Folksongwriter--

This is a beautiful cover. My grandfather used to play this song for me when I was young, he passed away today & I want to learn it in his memory. I was wondering if you could tell me the chords and where you have the capo. It would mean a lot to me. Thank you so much,

-Lauren

[folksongwriter]

@laurentussey So sorry to hear of your loss. I'll send you a message with the chords in it. My capo is on the 5th fret.

[PaddyKey]

Very nice song, very nice voice! Greatings from Germany.

[folksongwriter]

Thanks for listening everyone. I really love this song. Townes filled his songs with such rich characters.

[badfish350]

do you know any robert earl keen or jerry jeff walker or any good ol texas country like that?

[folksongwriter]

No, I don't. But, I'm going to look them up. Got any suggestions for your favorite songs by them?

[lazylazyshark]

fantastic voice, really liked your rendition!

[aronaauxier501]

THIS IS TO THE SINGER ,,,YOUR VOICE IS SO COOL....AND YOUR VIDEO TOO...I ,, JUST LOVE YOUR VOICE..YOU DO THIS SONG MUCH JUSTICE....GOD BLESS YOU GIRL..

[donttelluma]

Townes Van Zandt wrote such a gem here. Emmylou Harris was the first to record a cover of this song in 1977 (Luxury Liner). I never thought I'd hear a more moving version but your's came mighty close. So beautiful...

[leannmichelle06]

I would love to know all the chords. I am a beginner on the guitar. I was able to learn to learn Tecumseh Valley by watching your video. It's so nice to have someone on you tube that loves the same music as I do. I would have never got it down otherwise.

[rpashoukos]

Such a beautiful rendition, your voice is so....pure.

[georgemanzi]

@folksongwriter how about jerry jeff's the heart of saturday night.. tom waits covered it but don't be intimidated. by the way your video here is exquisite and easily the purest version of the classic i've ever heard. judging by your influences you couldn't have chosen a more appropriate tune, and far more than doing it justice you clearly demonstrated why it's a masterpiece.. but next time i wanna see you let your hair down and rock!.. or should i say let your hair 'up'.. lol

[cruzere120]

nice voice

[linoj918]

Hermosa cancion y una dulce voz como la de Joan Baez -- Un grandioso cover

[linoj918]

Una hermosa cancion y una voz dulce como la de Joan Baez Muy buen cover