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".

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

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. 💚🤙🏼

Another great song like this is El Paso from Marty Robbins

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.

You need to listen to mama tired, Merle Haggard.

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.

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

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

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..

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.

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

"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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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'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. 🐎🤠🐂

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

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.😊

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

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.

This song always makes me cry. I’ve heard it all my life and I still tear up every single time. This song is like an old friend to me.

Thanks, always loved their voices in this one

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.

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

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😂

One of my favorite songs of all time.

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. 😊😊😊

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Awesome! One of my requests getting done!! Let's gooooooo!

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.❤

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.

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

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.

❤❤ I have requested this at least 3 times. Finally 😁 I m excited.

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

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

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.)

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

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!

The greatest country song ever

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

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 ✌🏻💕

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)).

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

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

This is one of my all time favorite songs.

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.

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.

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.

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

Love Willie’s voice! He is legendary! Thanks BP!❤️‍🔥✌🏻🫶🏻

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 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.

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

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

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.

One of my all time favorite songs !

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”.

Blue eyes crying in the rain is great!

Country music is filled with stories.

Kind of cool thing...in the last scenes of the video when they are in the diner, the skinny guy playing the guitar is Townes Van Zandt, the guy who wrote that song.

Thanks for playing this.

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.

Cry Everytime I hear this!!

One of my favorite songs ❤️❤️

LOVE THIS SONG!!!

Bunch of legends at that diner table

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.

I love the way you appreciate so many different genres of music. Thanks for sharing!

Another tear jerker!

What has already struck me is the line is at the beginning "he wasn't his mother's only son" which I've always interpreted to mean they were brothers, one an outlaw and the other working for the law.

I actually geek-girled out when you said you shop for antiques...love it! Fantastic reaction.

Gold