Written by Townes Van Zant. He has a few cameos in the video. I think we can infer that Lefty betrayed Pancho and that the Federalis had little luck apprehending the old outlaw until then, despite their claim that "they could have had him any day". Yes, "Lefty split for Ohio", but I think we know "where he got the bread to go".

@jmc5876

3 ай бұрын

He's playing guitar in the restaurant and singing during the last chorus. Hell of a songwriter.

@smileyd419

3 ай бұрын

I like Towns version just fine ,but I think Willie did it better Willie does some great covers and a lot of times IMHO makes the song better Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain. ...song written by songwriter Fred Rose. First recorded by Elton Britt in 1946 City of New Orleans. ... The title track was written and originally recorded by Steve Goodman; his version was released in 1971. The next year, Arlo Guthrie became the first to have a hit with the song Summertime. ...Written in 1934, 'Summertime' was one of the first compositions George Gershwin Georgia On My Mind. ..."Georgia on My Mind" is a 1930 song written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell and first recorded that same year by Hoagy Carmichael If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time...."If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)" is a debut song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Lefty Frizzell,

@singlespeed

3 ай бұрын

The Townes story is such a crazy heartbreaker. Worth a watch if you haven't seen it.

@757optim

3 ай бұрын

@@jmc5876 He also appears as a Federali.

@user-vl4fx5wf1q

2 ай бұрын

❤️❤️💜❤️💜🔥🔥🔥🔥

Never be another Hag. R.I.P. Merle. 💔♥️

If you go shopping again for the Clint Eastwood, don't forget that it's a trilogy that tells the whole story. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, Fistful of Dollars, and A Few Dollars More.

When Willie had Merle over to hang out. They were drinking and Willie talked Merle into playing on this. Merle woke up the next day not quite remembering if it happened and asked Willie. Willie said they had recorded a song. Merle said that "We should try again. I think i can do better." But Willie told him it was already on the way to Nashville. 😂

Merle Haggard “The Hag” is a Must Discover Rabbit Hole!!!

Merle is my favorite country artist, Merle & Willie is unbelievable.

Willie turned 91 yesterday (April 29th). He's on the road again and I saw him in concert on the 24th. The writer, Townes Van Zandt was the federale in the brown uni and the guy with the guitar in white at the end. 💚🤙🏼

@rebeccamccann8710

3 ай бұрын

My sons bought me tickets to see Willie, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp’s Outlaw tour in Pittsburgh in September. I have seen Willie live several times over the years, and it’s always a great show. This is probably the only time I have wished Autumn would hurry up and it’s barely Spring!

@aliciahager2961

3 ай бұрын

Townes was sitting at the table in front of Willie and Merle. He is also a federal holding a white horse as Lefty rides out, pausing at the top of the hill.

@annawestall4395

3 ай бұрын

When I read "On the road again," my brain registered it in Willie's voice 😂

@ab__Floo

3 ай бұрын

Dang 91. I might have to start smoking weed

Willie co founder of Outlaw Country. Merle poet of the common man.

@brianclevenger5521

3 ай бұрын

Don't sleep on David Allen Coe.

@D.R.Z.

22 күн бұрын

Don't sleep on the writer of the song

@elizabethfranco1284

22 күн бұрын

@@D.R.Z. shout out to Townes Van Zandt

Merle Haggard was in Folsom Prison when Johnny Cash came to Folsom Prison to give his fellas a concert. Changed Merle Haggard's life he wrote some songs when he got of prison he , I believe sent a letter to Johnny Cash. Taped his music and his life began a legendary musician Johnny Cash was an angel..

@weeduhbook

3 ай бұрын

Sing me back home. Merle’s song will bring you tears.

Another great song like this is El Paso from Marty Robbins

@wtk6069

3 ай бұрын

The whole trilogy with Feleena (part 2) and El Paso City (part 3)

@markcarter822

3 ай бұрын

Rose's Cantina. Felina. The whole story telling and how he sings it, it puts you there seeing and feeling it all.

@allenwhitmer8192

3 ай бұрын

Also Big Iron

@markcarter822

3 ай бұрын

Almost ANY Marty Robbins song

Pancho &Lefty was written by Townes Van Zandt. Townes was a "tortured artist" who died incredibly young from drug addiction and alcoholism. His songs are known for the vivid imagary and his songs have been recorded by literally EVERYONE - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Dylan, Counting Crows and hundreds more.

@houstonwolve2765

3 ай бұрын

Never paid much attention to this one, always thought it was referencing Pancho Villa.

@billohara383

3 ай бұрын

Love Townes!! ❤

@woodylogstv2005

3 ай бұрын

And Townes is in the video… guy with black straight hair, appears a few times and with the guitar at the table towards the end

@scotttretten8020

3 ай бұрын

check out Who Do You Love written by Townes but the George Thorogood cover is my favorite, this will give an excellent example of how he reached so far into musical styles with his writing

You need to listen to mama tired, Merle Haggard.

@daleross9001

2 ай бұрын

Yes mama tried😮

@johnnyreb1475

2 ай бұрын

Tried

@2afreedom60

2 ай бұрын

I USED TO sing that around the house to my son. MAMA TRIED.

@laurat1720

21 күн бұрын

Definitely

Merle haggard and Willie Nelson are one of the greatest of all time.

Love this song, "Beer for my Horses" with Willie and Toby Keith is a good one.

Merle Haggard was one of the best to ever do it.

You should hear Emmylou Harris' version of this old song. It would bring tears to your eyes.

My paternal Grandfather was with the US Army when the chased Pancho Villa in 1916. So I understand. My grandfather passed in1985 at 88 years old.

@julieCA58

3 ай бұрын

That's some family history.

@Wrangzilla

3 ай бұрын

That's a cool family story....

"He wore his gun outside his pants / for all the honest world to feel" and "The dust that Pancho bit down south / Ended up in Lefty's mouth" are two the greatest lines ever written.

@TresTrefusis

2 ай бұрын

horse as fast as polished steel always got me.

Good is good. Country, rock, jazz, blues. If you’re good you’re good. Willie and Merle are and were great.

The dust that Pancho bit down south ended up in Lefty's mouth...Great line!💜☮

Willy has an unmistakable voice even if youve never heard the song you know who’s singing

Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain should be your next Willie song.

Johnny Paycheck, The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised !! Country at its finest !!

@emerje0

3 ай бұрын

Yes, one of my all time favorite country songs! I think he'd love that one (and Merle's "Mama Tried") along with "Take this Job and Shove It" (and Johnny Cash "Oney")

@darkomtobia

3 ай бұрын

No doubt!

@Morgaine

3 ай бұрын

If you're taking Johnny Paycheck, you have to check out "Take This Job & Shove it."

Originally written and composed by Townes Van Zant. Recorded by others including Emmy Lou Harrison

@MizCriz46

3 ай бұрын

Emmylou Harris

Willie has a complete album of duets called Half Nelson.

Willie always one of my favorite guitarists. He plays it so differently.

Unforgiven with Clint is a more modern movie that has an old western pace and feel to it. It's top 5 all time IMHO

Thanks dude. You are really hitting the 70s 80s gold mine. Luckenbach Texas is worth checking out with Waylon and Willie. Merles Okie from Muskokee is also a great song

Country music has been called 3 chords and the truth. Most effectively told through stories - mini movies - these songs resonate for a lifetime and beyond. Worth a deep dive into the classic country stars more than the pop oriented current offerings. Dolly, Loretta, Willie, Kris, Waylon. So many others who paved the way with some of the best music ever created.

Two legends singing a perfect song, damn this makes you want to go back in time

If you wanna see imagery and storytelling at its finest, listen to “ Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” by George Jones. It’s such a great tribute to music artists that blazed a trail.

Merle Haggard...Mama Tried, Okie From Muskogee, The Fightin' Side of Me, Workin' Man Blues.

I love to watch Willie Nelson and Leann Womack sing Mendico County Line, It was filmed on the main road in Texas running in front of the court house. Only Willie could shut the traffic down for a couple of days for filming so he could ride his horse in front of the courthouse. Willie lives his life like a true outlaw.

Speaking of Kenny Rogers at the end. “Love will turn you around” will give you goosebumps.

How can you be a Western kid and not know this?? I've been singing this forever, man!! ( I'm yer neighbor in New Mexico!) Some songs are essential. This is one. ❤😊😊

i love this song please do Waylon Jennings ft Hank Williams JR the Conversation

@wgj4everlong426

3 ай бұрын

if he does it needs to be audio only anymore the video seems to get blocked

I love country music and I like Willie Nelson and Meryl Haggard. Country music has a great storytelling music. Thank you for playing this song and l like your reactions on this song. 😊😊😊

5:22 I remember going with my mom to Tower Records in Walnut Creek in like 1984 to get this cassette ❤

Mearl Haggered is the most Awsome, never got the credit deserved. Only artist I ever asked an autograph from. Met Henry Donna, so many stars when I traveled with the Circus. Best concert I ever went to

You want good storytelling? The entire album Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson

@FriedBob

3 ай бұрын

THe movie too.

@stk0308

3 ай бұрын

Then Marty Stuart's "The Pilgrim".

These are the best "Country" songs. Keeping you engaged not just with the music but through the story as well. Marty Robbins was a master at it. Check out El Paso and El Paso City by him. You won't be disappointed.

Merle Haggard was My late father's all time favorite singer. Emmylou Harris is mine. We both loved Willie. We had many good natured debates over who did the best cover of this genius song.

@vickihirsch8340

3 ай бұрын

I thought he saw him at San Quentin

Townes Van Zandt, the songwriter, is absolutely one of the greats. He appears as one of the federal soldiers and also as the guitar player near the end. His life is as much a tragedy as Lefty's.

At your convenience, be sure to feature " Lukenbach TEXAS with Willie and Waylon.

Merle was my Dad’s favorite. He passed when I was 27. Wasn’t around for my wedding. Didn’t get to meet his granddaughter. But when I hear Merle, it feels like my Dad is around.

Willie Nelson is 93 years old and still writing songs and playing music with his sons! He's also indian descendant and was raised by his grandmother whi I think was full blooded indian. I can't remember what tribe,but I read his bio years ago.❤

@sandralybrand9425

8 күн бұрын

I was just going to say the same thing! ❤️ I also read his bio ad yes his grandmother was full blood Indian that raised him and his sister. I also can't remember what tribe she was from because it's been over 25 years since I read it maybe longer. But he grew up rough but started writing songs as a youngster.

The songwriter was Townes Van Zandt. He read news articles about two Mexican bandits named Pancho Villa and Lefty Gomez, and wove some details about their lives into the song. However, the story in the song is fictional. In the music video, Willie Nelson is Pancho and Merle Haggard is Lefty. (Just in case someone doesn't know, the Federales are Mexican police.)

The greatest country song ever

One of my favorite songs. And by two of the best country artists ever.

A guy named Townes Van Zandt wrote that song. I' love to see you react to the original, or better yet, I'd love to see your reaction to the Townes Van Zandt song, "Waiting Around to Die." It will bring tears to your eyes.

This is an absolute classic. One of my new favorites by these 2 would be “It’s all going to pot”

Some Merle classics you gotta listen to are mama tried Sing me back home The fightin side of me Oke from muskogee Silver wings Big city

“If I can find a clean shirt” is a funny video of the same category with Waylon and Willie!

Reba " that's the night the lights went out in Georgia " another good story telling song. Love and light to all

Merle and Willie were two of my Dad's favorite, along with Waylon and George Jones. George is another great storyteller, another one to check out, the Grand tour or He stopped Loving Her Today would be good ones to start with.

Ray Charles when asked why he likes country,it's the stories

Townes van Zandt is a rabbit hole worth going down - another of his much-covered songs is "Waiting Around To Die"

@tobeski

3 ай бұрын

There's a story that Townes was pulled over by two highway patrolmen and they asked what he did. He told them he was a musician and a songwriter and they asked if he'd written anything they'd have heard of. He said "Pancho and Lefty" and they burst out laughing as that was the nicknames they had from the other cops. They let him off.

I believe this is what you call outlaw country. As an old metal head, this song is awesome!!

Merle spent time pen when young and knew how to connect with the common man. He was pardoned by President Reagan for the contribution of his musical talents and tributes to the American people. One of the songs written and performed by him is "Mama Tried" from 1968. It's one of his most famous songs.

One of my favorite songs . Listened to this traveling across England .

Love Clint Eastwood spaghetti movies…and all his movies!!

It's always easy to ride a great story about something that really happened not easy but easier thanks again for praying this song

There’s a stone built into the wall outside the country music hall of fame a quote from Merle Haggard “ Country songs are the dreams of the working man”.

Written by the legendary songwriter Townes Van Zant. Townes plays one of the fedarales in the video and he's the one playing guitar at the end of the video when they're all sitting around drinking beer.

I love your reactions! From Merle and Willie to Pink Floyd and Led Zepp….you’re pretty awesome! It’s great seeing someone enjoying the music I grew up on. This song in particular is one of my favorites. It reminds me of listening to records at my grandparents’ house as a kid in East Texas. It always gets me in my feelings ✌🏻💕

Cry Everytime I hear this!!

You can watch the good the bad the ugly, but be aware it is actually the 3rd in the trilogy of 'The Man With No Name". The 1st is "For a Fistful of Dollars". The 2nd "For a Few Dollars More". Then the GBU. 3 great actors in each (Clint (good), Lee Van Cleef (bad), Eli Wallach(ugly)).

Blue eyes crying in the rain is great!

If you want to watch a wester with some of country's greats watch Stagecoach from 1986 starring Willie, Kristofferson, Cash, Jennings and John Schneider. Its a remake of John Waynes 1939 Stagecoach. Its no Acamey award nomination but to see them all on screen together. There is also Outlaw Justice from 1999.

This great song was written by the legendary Townes Van Zandt. Check out his version and other songs by him if you want to do yourself a favour.😊

A confession. I only got into country music after playing the first chapter of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and when you get to the small rural towns and every vehicle is tuned to K-Rose. I love you Mary-Beth Maybell!

Country music is filled with stories.

Townes van Zant needs a reaction on this. Tortured soul.

There are singers that really tell stories well. Merle, Willie and one people sleep on far too much, Tom T Hall. Most of Hall's stuff was either from his experiences or someone he heard first hand. He also did a lot kids songs.

I've always felt I was born a Century Late. Grew up on country . And at 70+ like my classic rock but I am still country. Growing up in the 50s/ 60s was on a1600 ac. ranch outside Prescott AZ. And part of it bordered the Yavapai Nation. Most all my friends were Yavapai. We used to play Cowboys and Indians while riding our horses. I was the Indian they were the cowboys. lol Just kidding but I did learn how to stalk and Hunt game as well as their culture. And then James Arness also own some property next to us. Arizona then was big for westerns. Many actors had primary or secondary residence in AZ. Later after moving to the valley so older siblings could attend college, the silent movie actor Hoot Gibson became our neighbor. After graduating at 16 with high honors I started my farrier business. I then added knife making and Locksmith Service. That's when installed and change locks on a replica of the Ponderosa which was Lorne Greene's second home. Also met Dan Blocker. There are pictures of him and John Wayne fighting in a Coolidge Saloon. Lol Also met Amanda Blake and bought a drink for Linda Evans. Not exactly sorry to say but missed opportunity when only giving a nod to Kenny Rogers who was there filming The Gambler with Linda Evans. Also made the acquaintance of Glen Campbell All this was back when AZ just a fraction of the size it is today. Was also a extra in two scenes in the movie Bless the Beasts and the Children. That theme song was performed by The Carpenters. Today I reside on my Ranch in the Ozarks. But I still have the ranch in northern Arizona on the rim close to where Zane Grey wrote his volume of books. Also have a Ranch off 24 West of you about 50 MI. Yep I'm still country. Suggest you watch/ listen to bless the beasts and the children from The Carpenters. There are a couple different videos. The one where you see the horses is the opening of the movie. The movie represents what that area around Prescott and Sedona was like at the time. Prescott is a old Frontier Town. Was the territorial capital of Arizona. It's also considered to have hosted the first rodeo. That still takes place during Frontier Days on 4th of July week end. They've been doing it for close to 150 years. 🐎🤠🐂

@poqaqoe25

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I grew up in Wickenburg, AZ (dude ranch capital of the world back in the day) and got to meet Ben Johnson (in many of John Waynes movies), Bowzer from Shanana and Val Kilmer. Val's mom was my Avon lady for years! He had a bit of a chip on his shoulder in the olden days and we didn't really get along on our few chance encounters when he would come to dinner with her and her husband at the restaurant where I worked. (RIP Gladys and Bill Leach). I moved to Prescott after I graduated high school to go to Yavapai College. Met a few more famous folks, like Peter Coyote. Springsteen was known to drop in to the Bird Cage on Whiskey Row, but I was never lucky enough to be there for that. I think the most notable difference back then and in the country, is that everyone largely left them alone and let them just be people. I live in the city now and have for years. Yet, all I dream about is getting back out to the country, surrounded by stars and the smell of honeysuckle.

The songwriter, Townes Van Zant is a songwriting legend. You can see him at 4:09, between Willie and Merle, at the saloon, at 6:58 on the horse, and then, at 8:30, playing guitar. People loved his songs and loved his soul. Deep dive him and Guy Clarke. Americana musical genre. Also, Steve Earle, Copperhead Road. A banger, as you say.

Merle and Willie were recording an album and needed one more song and Willie heard Emmy Lou Harris version of this and decided it was the one so he woke Merle up at 3 am and they went into the studio and laid down this gem.

This is one of my all time favorite songs.

Ah yes. Great album. All the soft places to fall, reasons to quit, and pancho and lefty are my favs off this album.

Love this song and video , makes me cry, Lefty betrayed his friend for the reward money, because he couldn't sing to support himself , and then died sick and alone , regretting what he did,

One of my favorite songs of all time. I still remember the first time I saw this music video, at a movie theater before the film. It obviously made an impact on me that I can remember that after all these years. Great to see you embracing country music - or should I say Traditional country music - which is timeless.

Merle Haggard was on an episode of The waltons he was accomplished actor as well

One of my favorite songs of all time.

Coward of the county not only is a song but is also a movie here on KZread.

Sounds like I'd love movie night with both sides of your family! 😂❤

I wish you could look up Freddy Fender. I don’t have the money to pay, but he was a wonderful Hispanic country star. I just loved him. My mom loved him. It was awesome.

Great reaction and legendary songwriter. More of Merle please. You can't go wrong. Any Clint movie is great, but The Good Bad and Ugly is one of the best.. The Outlaw Josie Wells may be as good

Pancho & Lefty is easily one of my favorites along with Seven Spanish Angels, you're hitting a lot of my favorites lately. A couple others that NEED to make the list: Mama Tried - Merle Haggard You Don't Even Call Me By My Name - David Alan Coe

This is a part of a large branch of country music that tells western stories. Marty Robbins -El Paso and Big Iron, Jimmy Dean- Big Bad John. Not a western but a couple of Merle's ballads that I think are great: "Daddy Frank" and "Leonard" (a tribute to a friend of his). Thanks for such a great reaction.

Another good one with Clint Eastwood is, "Hang Em High". Loved them all. Deme in Bama😊

Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers is a must, it's such a powerful and emotional song

One of my all time favorite songs !

Another tear jerker!

Bunch of legends at that diner table

I feel ya there brotha. I throw on American pickers (absolutely great in my opinion) and the antique store downtown is non stop calling in my head😂

I really have enjoyed watching you hear the poetry of classic Country. One of my favorite classic Country songs is That's My Job by Conway Twitty.

The young fella who appears a few times in the video is Townes Van Zandt he wrote this song and many of the baddest outlaw country songs ever. He lived hard and died pretty young. Check out Tecumseh Valley or Dead Flowers which The Rolling Stones covered.

Willie just turned 91 today. They say his birthday is the 30th of April and the 1st of May. He was born around midnight and it was the next day before his parents got him to a doctor and they recorded it as the first of May. Or so they claim

The Good ,the Bad ,and the Ugly--- was what was a "Spaghetti Western " cuz it was filmed in Italy . Like a lot of Clint Eastwood's films. The film " NY Name is Nobody" is a good western comedy (also a spag. Western )

The way I always saw this song, and video, was that Poncho was a Bandit that they had been after for a long time, on both sides of the border. Lefty is an American lawman, of sorts, who goes down to Mexica to join the chase. They finally catch up to Poncho and Poncho is mortally wounded and dies. Once Lefty makes sure it's really Poncho, he heads home. Years later Lefty is old and in poor health with little to show for all his years of service. He still has his memories, and he recalls when he helped bring down the famous outlaw, Poncho.