Just after this was written, Townes was living in Nashville. A bunch of wanna be musicians were living in some kind of abandoned Catholic facility just outside of Nashville and were sitting on the floor of a big room one day when Townes and his girlfriend walked in. They were all friends, so it wasn't a big deal. People were taking turns singing songs they'd written and smoking weed. About 30 minutes after arriving, Townes said he had a new song he'd written and he wanted some feedback. He sang "Pancho and Lefty". When he finished, everyone there was stunned. No one knew what to say other than don't change a word or a note. They all continued to play their songs, but everyone there knew they had just witnessed greatness before the world heard the song. After another hour or so, Townes and his girlfriend stood up to leave. A friend of mine, Bob Roberts, stopped Townes and said "I know that song is new, I know it's going to be a classic, and I know it will be one of, if not THE signature song of yours, but would it be OK if I sang it tomorrow at a gig I have at the (insert hole in the wall Nashville bar here) tomorrrow?'" Townes looked at him and without skipping a beat said "NO". Bob was disappointed but understood. Townes and the girlfriend left and the group of friends resumed doing their thing. About 15 minutes later Townes girlfriend snuck in, walked up to Bob and handed him something. She said "Townes asked me to give you this." She turned and walked out the door again. Bob looked down at what she had given him. It was an envelope to an overdue electric bill and on the back, Townes had written the lyrics to" Pancho and Lefty". He still has the envelope.
Awsm. It did go on to become a true classic, and it reminded me of the hardship that went down in the badlands between Mexico and the U.S. back during the turn of the century up to the end of the Mexican revolution. Times and places of really hard living, and even _harder dying,_ man.
Anyone remember his story about the guy who used to go into a bar, order three shots, and drink them all in succession? He said he had two brothers, and they all did this -- anytime any of them drank, they'd drink three shots -- one for the brother himself, the others to honor the other two. So . . . he came into the bar one time, and he ordered two shots. The bartender said, "Ah, man -- I hope nothing happened to one of your brothers." "No, they're okay -- I just quit drinkin'!"
He had given so many explanations...who cares...with his booze issues, does anyone really think he could recall? Doesn't matter, it is one of the greatest songs ever written.
I was ill from pancreatitis and bacteraemia when I stuck this on , made me cry with laughter - whether it's the truth or not is irrelevant , it's all about the story and the delivery - Townes Van Zandt was a Genius Song Writer and no one can take that away from him .
TVZ was really good at telling a story. Makes you feel like you are right there with him. The wry wit and humor is endearing too, flavored with just the right amount of innocent irony to make the jokes so funny. 💙
So true Kerry and best wishes from Athlone Townes was one of the best songwriters of all time who lived a very simple life he was never in it for the money and fame what a man what a Legend RIP TOWNES
Great story, but I also heard him say he wrote it a couple of weeks after seeing a TV show about these outlaws. Perhaps that was just before his Texas gig. Whatever muse he listened to, I'm glad that he did. It's a great song.
My theory is that Pancho and Lefty are the same person. Pancho leaves his identity to get away from the Federales and becomes Lefty and escapes to the desert.
For what it's worth, I always thought Lefty shot Poncho and hightailed it out of Mexico, and then later on was consumed with guilt and remorse thinking about his old friend -- so broken and sad he can't even sing the blues anymore. "The dust that Pancho bit down Sound ended up in Lefty's mouth . . . he only did what he had to do, and now he's growin' old."
Ron Kelley Pancho and Lefty is a great song but have you heard any of Townes’ other songs? Townes was a true poet! His songs contain the most beautiful lyrics ever written or sung.
@@barrymarshall3592 I live in his adopted home town of Austin. He was a songwriters songwriter to be sure. "Be here to love me" was a great documentary if you have not seen that.
Chad Parker there’s an album where Townes tells a different story about how he got pulled over by a Mexican and Gringo trooper. He told him he wrote the song and they let him go because that was their nickname. Poncho and Lefty. Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t watched it yet but I will check it out. Stay safe in Austin. Be well 🇺🇸👍🏽
jjust seen Willie 3/3/17 @Strawberry festival Plant city, Florida.. it was the,same place i last seen George Jones. i went to pay my respects in Nashville when George Jones passed away.... we ended up going to the wrong cemetery and i saw i was standing next to THE GRAVES OF STRING BEAN , JUDY BAKER, & LEFTY ...JUST TO NAME A FEW THERE THEY LAY ALL AT REST ON MUSIC ROW IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE.. grave.. GEORGE IS ACROSS TOWN IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CEMETARY I NEVER DID FIND PANCHO
I lived in Plant City in the late 70's, and I was lucky enough to see Freddy Fender. His fame had already kind of passed, and not many people were even listening to him, but he put on a good show.
Pretty sure he got the idea for this song from Leo's Dad who worked at the old Leo's Mexican Restaurant in Montrose in Houston back in the 60's and 70's. Leo's Dad ran with Pancho and had pictures all over the walls. Leo's was a hangout for types like ZZ-Top etc.
I'm an everyday drinker. Last week I had a particularly terrible night out, argument with the baby mama, got in a fight, walked 10 miles home, wasted, carrying my carton of cigarettes that was falling apart. And now it's 6.5 days later and I'm having a drink. The last five DAYS were fine, but trying to sleep sober at night is fucking terrible
What the fuck do you mean it doesn’t matter! How songs are written literally tells you everything, people put thier heart and soul into their music, and you think that doesn’t matter? Wtf. Ignorant.
I saw Townes Van Zandt several times at UofH in the early 70's. He used to tell the same joke as follows: 'What's white and slimy and climbs up your leg? Uncle Ben's Perverted Rice! He would tell that everytime he played back then.
I had totally forgotten about that Mahara Ji appearance in Dallas that year. I believe he was also at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston too right before that. My god we were total dumbasses to fall for that shit. I remember Townes playing at some outdoor concert around Shasta's cage at the University of Houston .. so drunk he could hardly stand up. That was Townes.
@@kayakingforthebirds2506 Messsed up situation, that. But hey, it provided the punchline to one of the funniest jokes I ever heard while on acid: "And then he looked in the camera and asked "Can't we just let bagwans be bagwans?""
I believe Townes Van Zandt took inspiration from Kristofferson for Pancho and Lefty via Bobby McGee. The latter was written in 69 and the former in 73 so it is conceivable and I really don't have a problem with it because it is so very different. Two of the most extremely well written songs with the similar chords and melodies and written within 3 years of each other. As you were...
And, people don't remember what Graham said and they laugh at just remembering whatever the guru would have said but a slightly off history, tilted story written in song is remembered by a lot of folks.
A great texas songwriter, heard him play at the cactus cafe in Austin. Then recently, I heard another guy, on the same cactus stage (for an open mic), who made a joke about townes, and then sang a song I swear is as good as anything townes ever wrote. Hard to believe, I know. But check him out. seankeel.bandcamp.com/album/long-ways-till-winter listen to that full record, and decide, does van zandt have a record, song for song, that good? If he does, track me down and I'll buy you a beer.
Hey Mr. Donnell. One of the many things I love about tvz is his precise use of language. I do not think seankeel is way better than tvz, I don't think it, and I didn't write it. But I did raise the possibility that one of seankeels records was song for song stronger than any by tvzs. This was meant as praise for seankeel. I honestly think if townes heard keel he would not at all be insulted by the suggestion. But Upon reflection, it was clunky on my part, comparison is after all odious, and if you were annoyed, I can understand why.
@@Photograph1974 The problem is they are bringing with them the same mindset that turned, what was once a Pacific paradise, into the corruption and crime ridden failure that it is today. I lived in San Jose for a couple of years after getting out of the army and ,when I moved back to Texas, the ONLY thing I missed about cali was In N Out burger.
Jesus never asked you to try or work. He asked you to trust and rest in Him. He is the author and perfecter of the faith. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28
It's because desperate people needed a hero, and they turned to a mortal man and put a crown on his head. The stories of his divinity are false, along with each and every single other divinity, including Jesus' holy father. Consider yourself lucky Dawn, lucky because you never heard the voices in you head. Those voices can convince you to do horrible things in the name of the almighty. You are much better off with out it.
@@lagaman11 You should write a book; " Jesus and other false hopes" . Written by lagaman11 and Satan (the voice in my head).That "mortal " is the Son of God . You can't track down a man that walks on water... He will track you down...and among other things, surrender is peace, I know!
The song, Pancho and Lefty, not some real historical figures. Since he's the guy who made up the story and he's the guy who explained it, I'd say he probably did better than anyone else could of telling the story behind it. The song is entertainment. The story is entertainment. Go back and listen to it again just to enjoy it, not so you can write some high brow music appreciation essay and I bet you'll enjoy it.
Pete Johnson thanks for telling him that , I didn't have a problem understanding what Townes said and was wondering where the whole comment was coming from
He does actually. It came drifting out of nowhere, and he grabbed hold of it and wrote it down. That's how it goes sometimes. The meaning might come along later when you're singing it. And it might change as time passes.
A story is just that; an embellished lie from someone unconnected to reality because the real truth isn't smirkable or laughable and dealing with reality takes real balls.
