About the song
“Pancho and Lefty” is a song penned by the acclaimed country singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Initially recorded for his 1972 album *The Late Great Townes Van Zandt*, it has become one of Van Zandt’s most renowned works. Though the original version did not achieve significant commercial success, the song gained widespread popularity when Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard released their own rendition in 1983. Their version topped the Billboard country chart and remains one of the most beloved interpretations.
The song unfolds as a narrative ballad composed of four stanzas, each contributing to a larger story of betrayal and regret. The lyrics introduce Lefty, a restless young man who leaves home to seek his fortune. In contrast, Pancho is depicted as a bold Mexican bandit who meets a tragic end in the deserts of Mexico. The song’s chorus reflects on the missed opportunity of capturing Pancho and hints at Lefty’s betrayal, as he takes money from the federales and attempts to return home, only to find his past life has moved on without him.
Despite its fictional elements, the song draws inspiration from historical figures like Pancho Villa, though Van Zandt himself was unsure about the historical accuracy of his lyrics. The storytelling within “Pancho and Lefty” blends elements of myth and reality, capturing the imagination of its listeners.
The track was revived and popularized by Nelson and Haggard, whose version brought the song to a broader audience. Their rendition’s success was driven partly by Nelson’s daughter Lana, who suggested the song for their album. The music video for their version, directed by Lana Nelson, featured Willie Nelson as Pancho and Merle Haggard as Lefty, with Van Zandt making a cameo appearance.
“Pancho and Lefty” has since become a classic, covered by various artists and admired for its lyrical depth. It is considered a staple in country and folk music, celebrated for its storytelling and emotional resonance.
Video
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