Amazing song. Thru listening one can make out the traitor was Lefty, and that Lefty is the singer himself, now feeling depressed in old age, and living alone and tormented with guilt, hoping to feel some redemption by at least not letting Pancho's story be forgotten every time he sings it. _But that's the way it goes. . ._
Sad when you hear at the end that very few are in the audience. He was tragically overlooked all due to his personal inner conflicts and subsequent erratic career path. Truly one of the greats.
Therein lies the inherent romance that distinguishes what we call "folk" music from rock, my friend. The say the word "melancholy" is a kind of joy rooted in sadness, like the memory of a loved one lost after the worst of the grief subsides. The sparsity of the crowd is consistent and in synchronistic harmony with the topic and tao of this song, as is the premature loss of the songsmith himself. Rest in great power, Townes. Namaste. *_"We learned more from a three minute record.....than we ever learned in school"_* ~~ Bruce Springsteen
I came to Townes by way of punk rock. Among others, Joe Strummer from the Clash was a huge aficionado of American roots, spaghetti westerns and country. He originally named himself Woody in his early days in tribute to Woody Guthrie. I'm a sucker for a melody and a great hook as well. Townes has to be up among the greatest pure songwriters ever. When a song can make genres and styles obsolete, it's a great song. I wish I'd found him sooner.
Wow. Your reply was SO well written. I mean that . Townes is something special. All Time top 2 or 3 probably 1. This song/recording is the best thing ever laid to tape.
@@timbaker4253 To each its own. I much more like this song stripped down and accompanied by the fiddle like this. Merle and Willie's sound too overproduced and pop-y for the tale they are telling.
@@timbaker4253 As much as I like Willie and as much as I do appreciate a good cover, nobody can play any song by Townes as good as Townes. This is the best version of this song.
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 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 That's the way it goes All the federales say They could have had him any day They only let him hang around 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 They only let him slip away Out of kindness I suppose The poets tell how Pancho fell Lefty's livin' in a cheap hotel The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold So the story ends we're told Pancho needs your prayers it's true, But save a few for Lefty too He just did what he had to do 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
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." - Steve Earle. "I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve could get anywhere near his coffee table." - Townes Van Zandt. (Seen on the Martin Guitar Forum by Robert Earl Keen Jr)
I keep listening to this song on repeat. My very own "Lefty"-- he was left-handed, not really having anything else in common with the Lefty in the song-- passed away. He was Lefty and his brother or friend or whoever he was with at the moment was Pancho. It was our inside joke and now it'll never be shared between us again. This song brings up both happiness and grief for me and that's just the way it goes.
So glad I started listening to townes. I had his name mixed up with another artist I don’t really care for. Buddy of mine played this at an open mic and it touched me. Obsessed since. ‘nobody heard is dying words’ really is the ‘way it goes’ huh?
I perform this song and modeled my version on the Nelson Haggard version. On a whim I googled the song to search for the original version. Wow! I have some work to do. It flows so much better, and the guitar works so much better than the piano used by Willie.
I began as a pro player in my teens in Hollywood, in '67, doing backing acoustic work. I almost destroyed myself learning the guitar part to Judy Collins' "Suzanne" _(Leonard Cohen)._ I didn't learn until much later that it was two guitars on the record. _(But by doing so, I got a gig backing Mary McCaslin, who really NEVER needed additional backing.)_ I can't be 100% sure, but I think this is likely one guitar, with a very unique touch. Based upon his mastery of songwriting, I believe anything was possible with this guy. Although this kind of picking is a specialty of mine and I could probably replicate this with one guitar upon my first try, I still can't be sure. I might be more certain if I was more familiar with Townes guitar playing and his live performances, however; but sadly, I am not. I haven't listened to much of him, I am a bit embarrassed to admit. I intend to rectify this oversight this very day, however. _(try my pages)_ A perfect performance of a perfect song. _(P.S. I left a comment for you on "Father Christmas".)_
I posted a couple of days ago, I listened to some more Townes. I believe you are correct, we are probably hearing a second acoustic guitar on this track. I have also heard some of your playing, and you're a fine player, with a gift for choice of material. Namaste.
Lyrics: Livin on the road my friend is gonna keep you free and clean Now you wear your skin like iron Your breath as hard as kerosene You weren't your momma's only boy, but her favorite one it seemed 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 dyin words, ah but that's the way it goes All the Federales say, they could've 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've had him any day They only let him slip away, out of kindness I suppose The poets tell how old Pancho fell, and Lefty's livin 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 ll the Federales say, they could've had him any day They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose few gray Federales say, they could've had him any day They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose
Разъезжая по дорогам, мой друг Сохранишь свободу и чистоту Одевшись во всё кожаное, как в броню Вдыхая её стойкий, как керосина, запах Он рос не только маменькиным сынком Но и, похоже, был её любимчиком Она заплакала, когда покинул он её И погрузилась в тяжкое раздумье Панчо прослывёт бандитом Конь под ним ретив, блестит как сталь Его кольт всегда готов Защищать малоимущих Знаешь, Панчо настигнут враги В пустыне на границе Мексики, где Никто не услышал его предсмертных стонов Вот как оно вышло Да, федералы утверждали Разделаться с ним легко могли Зачем они его повесили тогда Из доброты, я полагаю Левша не пел свой блюз в ту ночь Чтобы скоротать её Песок, что ветер с юга нёс Поскрипывал на зубах Левши На следующий день выследят бедного Панчо Когда Левша отправился в Огайо С намерением купить еды, чтобы уйти Туда, где их никто не сыщет Да, федералы утверждали Разделаться с ним легко могли Зачем они его повесили тогда Из доброты, я полагаю Поэты расскажут, как Панчо предан был Левшой Когда тот поселится в гостинице Безлюдной, как пустыня, холодной, как Кливленд И наш рассказ подошёл к концу И лишь молитва сейчас поможет Панчо О Левше время сохранит немногое Он просто сделал то, что сделал И вскоре о нём забудут Команда серых федералов утверждала Разделаться с ним легко могла Зачем было глумиться так Из доброты, я полагаю
The line "Where he got the bread to go" =/= "С намерением купить еды, чтобы уйти". "Bread" used here is an American slang word for "money". «Хлеб», используемый здесь, является американским жаргонным словом «деньги».
I did not know it was possible to add another facet, or vision to the narrative of this song, but you have in fact done so, by adding a vision of the poetic timeless beauty of the archtypical motorcycle ride.
Essa música é sobre dois bandidos mexicanos que o compositor viu na TV, duas semanas depois ele escreveu a canção. A letra fala de um cowboy chamado "Lefty", que vendeu seu amigo de trilha "Pancho" por dinheiro e anistia. Mas as ações de Lefty pesam muito em sua consciência. Na velhice, ele é atormentado pela culpa e fica sozinho, sem nada para ocupar seu tempo a não ser orações por perdão e redenção.
It's nice to hear another version of this song specially since it was done by the writer. As for myself, I prefer Willie singing it along with Merle Haggard.
I know a little about songwriting _(check my pages)._ This is among the very few greatest and most profound songs ever written, along with anything by Dylan, Simon, Springsteen, Petty/Campbell, Lovett, Hank, Prine, et al.
For all the sound-alike modern "country" singers, Townes voice isn't a dime a dozen, its 1 in 10000
An artist of Townes Van Zandt caliber does not come around very often.
A song that will last as long as people have voices to sing it. Perfect, Townes...rest in peace. Man, we miss you.
This was played at my dad’s funeral I picked it out for him
First heard around the campfire by a great guitar player and kayaker...alongside the river. My man has passed, now I will play this forever.
it's weird when you realize this is your comfort song
Both versions have become my comfort song since my mom died. I don't even know why.
Wow. Just drop dead stunning. Man, this guy was something else.
God, I love this song - and this is THE version
This is the best version for sure. soo good.
look at Jason Isbell's one.....
I like Townes version
a master piece written and sung by it's master
Amazing song. Thru listening one can make out the traitor was Lefty, and that Lefty is the singer himself, now feeling depressed in old age, and living alone and tormented with guilt, hoping to feel some redemption by at least not letting Pancho's story be forgotten every time he sings it.
_But that's the way it goes. . ._
Interesting take
I always saw it as though losing his reckless partner was his slow death sentence
From when its deep down from a soul. There for all the honest world to feel. Perfect.
A song for all outsiders, the lonely & misunderstood. Outlaws till the end..
*_"We learned more from a three minute record.....than we ever learned in school"_*
~~ Bruce Springsteen
Sad when you hear at the end that very few are in the audience. He was tragically overlooked all due to his personal inner conflicts and subsequent erratic career path. Truly one of the greats.
Therein lies the inherent romance that distinguishes what we call "folk" music from rock, my friend. The say the word "melancholy" is a kind of joy rooted in sadness, like the memory of a loved one lost after the worst of the grief subsides.
The sparsity of the crowd is consistent and in synchronistic harmony with the topic and tao of this song, as is the premature loss of the songsmith himself. Rest in great power, Townes. Namaste.
*_"We learned more from a three minute record.....than we ever learned in school"_*
~~ Bruce Springsteen
First heard the song when my brother played it on his guitar. Still reminds of my late brother. RIP
This is a song where the greatness is obvious. In my opinion it's the singing that propels it to it's amazing quality
I came to Townes by way of punk rock. Among others, Joe Strummer from the Clash was a huge aficionado of American roots, spaghetti westerns and country. He originally named himself Woody in his early days in tribute to Woody Guthrie. I'm a sucker for a melody and a great hook as well. Townes has to be up among the greatest pure songwriters ever. When a song can make genres and styles obsolete, it's a great song. I wish I'd found him sooner.
Wow. Your reply was SO well written. I mean that . Townes is something special. All Time top 2 or 3 probably 1.
This song/recording is the best thing ever laid to tape.
You get pretty comfortable up on that coffee table once you've listened to a few of Townes's tracks.
The genius who wrote the best song in country music....ty townes
The song far transcends any genre.
So the story ends, we're told, " My favorite lyric in history it convays so much in just a few words
The picasso of song 🎵 😍 👌
A Dutch Master (Renaissance).
Well stated, my friend. A much underrated comment, indeed. _(check my pages.)_
@@marionapoleoni4502
Well stated. Have a cigar.
This is the best version of this song I have ever heard. People, please comment below if you think there's a better version and paste the link.
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard take this song to another level
@@timbaker4253 Agree, there has never been a better version. It's magic..
@@timbaker4253 To each its own. I much more like this song stripped down and accompanied by the fiddle like this. Merle and Willie's sound too overproduced and pop-y for the tale they are telling.
@@timbaker4253 As much as I like Willie and as much as I do appreciate a good cover, nobody can play any song by Townes as good as Townes. This is the best version of this song.
i prefer the clip of him performing it from movie heartworn highways.
Rest In Peace Townes.
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
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
That's the way it goes
All the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him hang around
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
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness I suppose
The poets tell how Pancho fell
Lefty's livin' in a cheap hotel
The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold
So the story ends we're told
Pancho needs your prayers it's true,
But save a few for Lefty too
He just did what he had to do
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
Thanks
For the outsiders, lonely & misunderstood everywhere..
Favorite song and recording of all time. Nothing has ever brought me this much nostalgia for no reason
Pure American! The Best!
Townes Van Zandt was such an amazing songwriter.
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." - Steve Earle.
"I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve could get anywhere near his coffee table." - Townes Van Zandt.
(Seen on the Martin Guitar Forum by Robert Earl Keen Jr)
Thanks for posting. Your comment is as true as the song itself. _(try my pages.)_
Honest and pure. Thank you.
That’s Real Music.
Miss yah man
I keep listening to this song on repeat. My very own "Lefty"-- he was left-handed, not really having anything else in common with the Lefty in the song-- passed away. He was Lefty and his brother or friend or whoever he was with at the moment was Pancho. It was our inside joke and now it'll never be shared between us again. This song brings up both happiness and grief for me and that's just the way it goes.
unbelievable. love u townes.
The pinnacle of everything. Greatest song and performance ever. TVZ
the best storyteller I've ever heard
One of the great country artists
So glad I started listening to townes. I had his name mixed up with another artist I don’t really care for. Buddy of mine played this at an open mic and it touched me. Obsessed since.
‘nobody heard is dying words’
really is the ‘way it goes’ huh?
Born alone die alone
Only Townes
I perform this song and modeled my version on the Nelson Haggard version. On a whim I googled the song to search for the original version. Wow! I have some work to do. It flows so much better, and the guitar works so much better than the piano used by Willie.
Love this version. The guitar work is outstanding. I think it may be two guitars.
I began as a pro player in my teens in Hollywood, in '67, doing backing acoustic work. I almost destroyed myself learning the guitar part to Judy Collins' "Suzanne" _(Leonard Cohen)._ I didn't learn until much later that it was two guitars on the record. _(But by doing so, I got a gig backing Mary McCaslin, who really NEVER needed additional backing.)_
I can't be 100% sure, but I think this is likely one guitar, with a very unique touch. Based upon his mastery of songwriting, I believe anything was possible with this guy. Although this kind of picking is a specialty of mine and I could probably replicate this with one guitar upon my first try, I still can't be sure.
I might be more certain if I was more familiar with Townes guitar playing and his live performances, however; but sadly, I am not. I haven't listened to much of him, I am a bit embarrassed to admit. I intend to rectify this oversight this very day, however. _(try my pages)_
A perfect performance of a perfect song.
_(P.S. I left a comment for you on "Father Christmas".)_
I posted a couple of days ago, I listened to some more Townes. I believe you are correct, we are probably hearing a second acoustic guitar on this track. I have also heard some of your playing, and you're a fine player, with a gift for choice of material. Namaste.
Dreams
🎉❤
Grande trovador
it was emmylou harris' cover that brought van zandt his first real recognition.
Emmylou has always had immaculate taste
Lyrics:
Livin on the road my friend is gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron
Your breath as hard as kerosene
You weren't your momma's only boy, but her favorite one it seemed
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 dyin words, ah but that's the way it goes
All the Federales say, they could've 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've had him any day
They only let him slip away, out of kindness I suppose
The poets tell how old Pancho fell, and Lefty's livin 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
ll the Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose
few gray Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose
Lol it's not today's gibberish rap They're pretty clear words.
Разъезжая по дорогам, мой друг
Сохранишь свободу и чистоту
Одевшись во всё кожаное, как в броню
Вдыхая её стойкий, как керосина, запах
Он рос не только маменькиным сынком
Но и, похоже, был её любимчиком
Она заплакала, когда покинул он её
И погрузилась в тяжкое раздумье
Панчо прослывёт бандитом
Конь под ним ретив, блестит как сталь
Его кольт всегда готов
Защищать малоимущих
Знаешь, Панчо настигнут враги
В пустыне на границе Мексики, где
Никто не услышал его предсмертных стонов
Вот как оно вышло
Да, федералы утверждали
Разделаться с ним легко могли
Зачем они его повесили тогда
Из доброты, я полагаю
Левша не пел свой блюз в ту ночь
Чтобы скоротать её
Песок, что ветер с юга нёс
Поскрипывал на зубах Левши
На следующий день выследят бедного Панчо
Когда Левша отправился в Огайо
С намерением купить еды, чтобы уйти
Туда, где их никто не сыщет
Да, федералы утверждали
Разделаться с ним легко могли
Зачем они его повесили тогда
Из доброты, я полагаю
Поэты расскажут, как Панчо предан был Левшой
Когда тот поселится в гостинице
Безлюдной, как пустыня, холодной, как Кливленд
И наш рассказ подошёл к концу
И лишь молитва сейчас поможет Панчо
О Левше время сохранит немногое
Он просто сделал то, что сделал
И вскоре о нём забудут
Команда серых федералов утверждала
Разделаться с ним легко могла
Зачем было глумиться так
Из доброты, я полагаю
The line "Where he got the bread to go" =/= "С намерением купить еды, чтобы уйти".
"Bread" used here is an American slang word for "money".
«Хлеб», используемый здесь, является американским жаргонным словом «деньги».
They didn't hang him...Lefty shot him, took the money (bread!) and fled to old age.
I did not know it was possible to add another facet, or vision to the narrative of this song, but you have in fact done so, by adding a vision of the poetic timeless beauty of the archtypical motorcycle ride.
🌹
Emmylou Harris with Willie Nelson is my favorite
Anyone know who the fiddler player is? Beautiful playing.
One man two seperate entitities. Bi polar opposites. Pancho is Lefty as Lefty is Pancho.
It is said that we all die
_"We are but a moment's sunlight, fading in the grass"_
Essa música é sobre dois bandidos mexicanos que o compositor viu na TV, duas semanas depois ele escreveu a canção. A letra fala de um cowboy chamado "Lefty", que vendeu seu amigo de trilha "Pancho" por dinheiro e anistia. Mas as ações de Lefty pesam muito em sua consciência. Na velhice, ele é atormentado pela culpa e fica sozinho, sem nada para ocupar seu tempo a não ser orações por perdão e redenção.
Repeated Archetypes.
It's nice to hear another version of this song specially since it was done by the writer. As for myself, I prefer Willie singing it along with Merle Haggard.
Their version is wonderful, and probably my second favorite behind TVZ.
I know a little about songwriting _(check my pages)._ This is among the very few greatest and most profound songs ever written, along with anything by Dylan, Simon, Springsteen, Petty/Campbell, Lovett, Hank, Prine, et al.