About the song
“Pancho and Lefty” is a cherished classic in the world of country music, beautifully performed by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. This song stands as the title track of their collaborative album, “Pancho & Lefty,” which was widely acclaimed and became a number one hit on the country charts. Its impact was further solidified when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing its significant contribution to the genre.
The song has also been honored by the Western Writers of America, who ranked it as the 17th greatest Western song of all time. This accolade underscores the song’s enduring legacy and its place in the heart of country music history.
In June 2004, “Pancho and Lefty” earned a spot on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time,” coming in at number 41. This recognition highlights the song’s profound influence and its continued relevance in the country music landscape.
Moreover, the original version of “Pancho and Lefty” was ranked #498 in Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2021. This placement in such a prestigious list further emphasizes the song’s lasting appeal and its esteemed position among the greatest musical works of all time.
With its rich storytelling and memorable melody, “Pancho and Lefty” remains a beloved piece that resonates with audiences of all ages, celebrating the timeless artistry of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
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