Steve Earle - Pancho And Lefty Lyrics






Livin' 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 you mama's only boy
But her favorite one, it seems
She began to cry when you said, "Goodbye"
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 dyin' words
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 livin' in a cheap hotel
The desert's quiet and 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 growin' old

All the federales say
"We could have had him any day"
They only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose

A few old gray federales say
"Could have had him any day"
We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose





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Steve Earle Pancho And Lefty Comments
  1. S.... T....

    Yeah you're a funny guy shut the fuck up and sing, keep your political views to yourself. Remember you're an entertainer which means you dance and sing for our enjoyment no one gives a shit about your opinions.

  2. J.... K....

    So good. Thanks for sharing

  3. E.... D....

    So many great musicians,. Steve Earle has always been a poser clown who o couldn't write a good song and a bad enough tone deaf player he couldn't do damn thing with great song someone else wrote. Pack it in clown.

  4. T.... H....

    There’s few “Perfect Songs”, it seems Townes wrote one right here . 🎵

  5. N.... K....

    why do these dope addict assholes have to make everything political. hate, hate , hate, hey go shoot up and mellow out

  6. j.... m....

    Thank you Steve Earle this is a great cover

  7. e.... h....

    i love you for this..all around townes..

  8. R.... R....

    Great, he's a hippy jackass.

  9. G.... W....

    Amoeba, Geezus mate, had to stop this at 2:40. I have never ever seen such shit camera work. It's obvious that the person doing the camera work, is not a Guitarist. I suggest that you or they go to camera school and come back in 2019 with a better idea of what a Video camera does.

  10. L.... W....

    Willie and Merle's version can't be beaten. It is pointless to even try.

  11. d.... ....

    Love Steve Earle!! So much Raw talent and a voice that touches your soul!!

  12. j.... l....

    This is one of the excellent covers on Steve's tribute album to one of the greatest songwriters who ever lived Townes Van Zandt. I can listen to Steve Earle sing anytime.

  13. L.... P....

    Steve is a perfect example of someone who was once on top of the country music world but couldn't keep his leftist opinions out of the public venue. Now, he's nowhere to be found. Someone said he was the opening act for the Dixie Chicks.

    L.... P....

    Steve has been nominated for or won 9 Grammys in the last 20 years, and headlines tours all the time. You don't know what you are talking about. If anything, his career took a bit of a dive due to drug use, but revived after he got clean in 1994.

  14. C.... T....

    This might be my favorite recording of this song I've heard yet.

    The writing of "and sank into your dreams" as a description for moving away from/losing a parent is the most perfect poetry in the english language.

  15. M.... B....

    Dick Cheney.

  16. A.... B....

    God bless this man. He is one of the remaining old-school poets who hung with heroes.

  17. D.... M....

    Not a good version.

  18. W.... a....

    If Steve Earl was born to sing a cover? This is it. Hell fuckin yea my Brother!

  19. D.... P....

    I will be seeing Steve live at the end of this month. I was lucky enough to meet him a year ago. Very nice guy.

  20. H.... S....

    You didn't get it..what are you doing?!!

  21. S.... R....

    This dudes So underrated !!

  22. R.... C....

    Seems like anybody who has run the road and drank the water between Luckenbach and Del Rio is an incredible writer and can turn even someone else phrase and make it theirs.

  23. K.... J....

    Brother time went fast

  24. J.... E....

    Check this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tSGpA4g_c4
    Steve puts so much heartbreak into this song and his sparse droning playing is masterful. I play this song but I can't get it this sad.

  25. j.... c....

    Communist loser

  26. W.... H....

    Classic song, well done!

  27. F.... ....

    Just love this nothing else to say

  28. S.... J....

    He talks too much.

  29. B.... A....

    Steve you are my hero.

  30. M.... E....

    Worthy effort, Steve...... Townes is smiling. Thank you.

  31. m.... ....

    Stupid hippie liberal

  32. S.... L....

    I love Steve Earle on his music I love Copperhead Road Guitar Town everything he does I like except singing about Vietnam I did three tours well for was there a total of 6 years and I kept me up in so you know maybe just saying about someone that's really been there or talk with someone that's really been there and write a song God bless him I love him

    S.... L....

    He did talk to people who were there, and the song was based in part on a friend of his who served. It is a character, he is not claiming to have been there.

  33. W.... K....

    Federales running from them in 1972 and made friends in 1995

  34. R.... M....

    Does bring the tears

  35. K.... J....

    the best & most believable version ever!

  36. W.... S....

    Sorry to say, but his version pretty much sucks!

  37. B.... B....

    The best song ever written.

  38. G.... T....

    Did we really need another version of this song? I say, L yes. And I bet Townes gave a nod as well.

  39. C.... S....

    Many have covered this Townes classic, including myself. My favorite version is still EmmyLou Harris's with her Hot Band.

    C.... S....

    I always sing it as "Wore his gun outside his pants for all the honest world to see" (not feel). No gunman is ever gonna let people feel his gun, honest or not.

    C.... S....

    Erg Budster they feel its presence not feel it with their hands

  40. B.... B....

    I didnt like this at first but then it settled in nicely

  41. M.... S....

    I thought Towns Van Zant wrote Poncho and Lefty

    M.... S....

    He did - this is a cover.

  42. M.... M....

    Eyes look so sad.

  43. J.... B....

    I like.

  44. J.... A....

    lefty was a rat.

  45. S.... T....

    This is obviously the next song after "F*** the FCC...

  46. J.... S....

    The myth about seeking out the biggest guy in the pod is bullshit

  47. C.... C....

    Great concert!!

  48. D.... R....

    hippie fucker looks like cat stevens aka yosuf islam

  49. T.... H....

    Ya know, I like Steve. He's written a couple good songs. But he seems to present himself as far more relevant than he ever was.

    For one, brother, you ain't Townes. No one is. Also not Gram. No one is. Let that shit go. 

    More balls than talent. It's cool.

  50. N.... u....

    NOT Country,,,maybe washed out rock,,,but NOT country. BTW, he called our president a "Real Live Fascist" So, if I DID have any of his SUB-Standard music I would do the same with them that I did with the Dixie Chicks CDs....Target Practice,,,cause you can't wipe your backside with them,,,too slick

    N.... u....

    That's not how you use punctuation.

  51. J.... T....

    Anti-American nut job.

    J.... T....

    Shut the fuck up you fat ugly cow

    J.... T....

    shut up you fuckin hog

  52. M.... S....

    This guy is a thing? Honestly didn't know.

    He sucks.

  53. c.... d....

    Nor as big of a Steve earl fan as I probably should be. But he is a genius. And I have to respect the hell out of him. He turned down being the next travis tritt in order to keep his soul.

  54. j.... e....

    Steve Earle is a fallen angel.

    He was the best ever, but....

    becoming a heroin addict and going for the worst PC Leftist politics...

    NO

    I can't go for that.

  55. C.... T....

    Love this...Townes lives on always!! Townes would be so proud of you Steve...you have been a great and successful musician...mentor...and teacher...we need to hold on to this music

  56. B.... T....

    i thought steve earle did a damn good job playing an AA sponsor in The Wire. Seems like hes been through it.

  57. C.... F....

    Man whatta true blue folk player. Love this guy. Just Steve and his axe. What a bad a** rendition. 5 stars brother. If you dont have his TOWNES CD get it.

  58. d.... ....

    Earle is very talented. It's just a shame that he's not as good as he thinks he is. He's just another smug celebrity who thinks because he has some talent anyone gives a shit about his opinion. Most of us don't.

  59. L.... A....

    Steve is good men

  60. J.... W....

    He did Townes van Zandt proud

  61. M.... M....

    great song and great performance, horrible directing. We don't need to be so close up as to see Steve's nostril hairs. Pull the camera back so we can get a sense of being in the audience.

  62. W.... H....

    Never beat the original. Of course him and Townes were very close for a long time. But Steve just knocked out this song. Perfect.

  63. I.... S....

    good cover sorry for yelling copperhead road at the blues festival in kitchener

  64. J.... T....

    preach it brother. Steve the real deal. Saw him live only twice but been my main dude for thirty years

  65. V.... E....

    you get to keep not only your radio but your virginity too.

  66. P.... F....

    damn good. all i can say. im drunk.

  67. w.... s....

    awesome shit!!!

  68. g.... ....

    Beautiful.

  69. W.... H....

    Great not get

  70. W.... H....

    Get Townes van sant cover.

  71. T.... C....

    There's a reason why Merle and Willie are superstars.

  72. T.... J....

    What a version!

  73. W.... H....

    Wow. Now that's like David knocking out Goliath. Townes van zandt. Steve Earle 's ideal. Well as far as I'm conserved. Steve Earle could of had Townes beat on talent any day let Townes keep his status out of kindness I suppose.

  74. R.... P....

    Been on board since hearing "Guitar Town" back in 85, but politically speaking the guy is in left field.

  75. T.... ....

    Love Steve's rendition but the cameraman should be arrested..

  76. S.... F....

    best cover of this song

  77. D.... M....

    WHO thumbs Down this dont know Music this man is a fucking poet

  78. H.... E....

    im a fan of Steve's for over 30 years, love you Steve

  79. W.... T....

    Fucking incredible song.

  80. a.... ....

    So much talent... So little brains......

  81. P.... M....

    Should've left this one alone steve!

    P.... M....

    Paul Murray
    Boo to you for that.

    P.... M....

    I'll just wish I could do it half as well as Steve did.

    P.... M....

    what? incredible world weary song.

  82. J.... K....

    Loved Steve till he wrote a song in favor of Muslims after the 911 attack. And then let the world know he was a total liberal leftist. Sorry Steve, Let the truth be known.

    J.... K....

    You need to understand that just because someone writes a song from a certain person's perspective, that doesn't mean they agree with that perspective.

    J.... K....

    Hey, that's an interesting thing to show concern over I just wanted to add a "so what."

    J.... K....

    That's not liberal.

  83. n.... b....

    Townes and Earle were fuckin homies! He named his kid after him good cover nonetheless

  84. C.... W....

    didn.t quite make the mark on this one

  85. G.... '....

    Steve has highway dust and country road gravel in that voice! just as good as Townes the Texas trubador

  86. D.... C....

    Going to go see him on Nov 4th in Winnipeg! Can't wait!!

    D.... C....

    That's great! I'm so glad to hear he's still playing!

  87. J.... G....

    Townes Van Zandt wrote this. Steve Earle did this amazing version.

  88. D.... ....

    Terrific voice. Lousy politics (assuming he's been a fan of Zippy and PIAPS).

  89. D.... M....

    never grow tired of an amazing artist...love him

  90. C.... B....

    Steve channels Townes for some lucky folk. Like us.

  91. S.... J....

    Great music from a Great dude..

  92. C.... C....

    Steve at his best!!

  93. T.... B....

    Sorry..this  rendition is over rated..Steve is hard to understand and his guitar playing is not that great. Ive done a better rendition myself !  No comparison to  the original Willie & Merle version ! Sad that audiences don't demand better from performers these days !

    T.... B....

    You are a JEALOUS low life TROLL ..FYI you don't play all the best clubs and hotels (including The Playboy Club) from Tampa Bay To Philly, Baltimore, Atlantic City and points in between for 17 yrs  and make over $3000 /week (in mid 80s dollars)  by having no talent ! You WISH you had a FRACTION of the talent God Blessed me with you chicken dick weeny ! ..and guess what ?  I am a published writer of stories to boot AND considered the BEST at what I do for a living  in the entire world (customers in 30 countries ) - And BTW ..I post most of my vids on Facebook - where I have a considerable following...BUT I don't play for that ..Ive never played for the money..I play for the love of it and to bring some pleasure and memories to those who listen... NOW TROLL...GET A LIFE CUZ YOU DONT HAVE A WIFE CUZ NO ONE WANTS YOUR SORRY TROLL ASS !

    T.... B....

    Your the dick that started cyber stalking me and leaving comments  on my vids (which I deleted) ..all because I merely stated my opinion on Steve's performance of this song...Gee did you vote for Trump? Make America HATE Again? Ahh last I checked we have a 1st Amendment Right - Freedom Of Speech...but apparently you are Communist cause you don't believe in the Constitution do you?  I'm entitled to my opinion - and ANY musician or artist including myself is up for critique - it happens every day in thousands of publications. So go spread some more HATE Trumpeteer !

    T.... B....

    apparently you didn't read my previous posts TROLL ! FYI I was making $3000 + /week way back in 1985 touring Phily/ Jersey Shore / Atlantic City - you don't make that kind of money performing at the best clubs and hotels (incl The Playboy Club) unless you have talent !  so eat your heart out TROLL hate monger - you are UNAMERICAN because you done believe in the 1st amendment = freedom of speech !  Artists, musicians , actors etc get critiqued every day of every year...just because I don't happen to think this  version isn't that great -you take it personally -like a dumb ass small dick TROLL ! I bet you voted for Trump didn't you.? MAKE AMERICA HATE AGAIN !

    T.... B....

    T.D. Bash Well. fuck your America you troll bait. I'm Canadian I voted trudeau

    T.... B....

    That explains a lot... cheap ass Canadians..when I was performing live on stage...Canadians would request songs and never tip..they also didn't tip the waitresses ! Everyone complained about them !Cheap Ass Losers !

  94. s.... j....

    I can't decide whether I like it or not...voice sounds a little flat...must be hard to play that song solo.....maybe another singer for harmony....2 names...2 voices....Rock on Mr. Earle....I still think you're the diddley bomb!!

  95. r.... ....

    "Breasts as hard as kerosene. " - Steve Earle

    r.... ....

    Breath...

    r.... ....

    Well said Blind Tom. Well said. Breasts?? WTF were they thinking? Dont even make sense....cheers man.

  96. B.... o....

    Townes, this guy has to be the best guy to do this.