C
G
F
Am
Pancho And Lefty
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard
How to Play on Guitar
The original "Pancho And Lefty" is a classic country ballad, well-known for its storytelling and gentle, flowing rhythm. The Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard version is especially famed for its soulful, relaxed feel that suits acoustic guitar.
Chords
C, G, F, Am
All chords are open-position and beginner-friendly. Practice switching between F and C/G, as these are common transitions throughout the song. The F chord can be played as an easier "mini-F" (xx3211) if full barre is difficult.
Strumming Pattern
A simple country rhythm works best:
Down, down-up, up-down-up
or
Down, down, down-up-down-up
Keep your strum light and steady, matching the song's laid-back mood. Emphasize the first downstroke of each measure for that country groove.
Chord Transitions
Take your time moving between C–G–F, as the verses use these frequently. Practice the Am–F–C–G run in the chorus and verses, as it comes up often. Move your fingers smoothly, and try to plant fingers common between chords to make transitions easier.
Techniques
Let chords ring naturally and don’t rush. If you want to add a country feel, lightly palm-mute the bass strings on the downstrokes or accent the root note of each chord. Play the intro and instrumental sections as written to capture the original's flavor.
Keep the tempo moderate and focus on clean chord changes; sing along for extra enjoyment and practice!
Intro
C G F G F G C
C F C F C G C
C G F G F G C
C F C F C G C
Verse 1C Living on the road my friendG is gonna keep you free and clean
F Now you wear your skin like ironC your breath as hard asG kerosene
F You weren't your mama's only boy but herC favorite one itF seems
Am She began to cry whenF youC saidG goodbye
AndF sank into yourAm dreamsG C
Verse 2C Pancho was a bandit boysG his horse was fast as polished steel
F He wore his gun outside his pantsC for all the honestG world to feel
F Pancho met his match you know on theC deserts down inF Mexico
Am Nobody heard hisF dyC in'G words
Ah butF that's the way itAm goesG F
ChorusAll the Federales sayC they could have had himF any day
Am They only let himF slipC aG way
Out ofF kindness I supAm pose
Verse 3C Lefty he can't sing the bluesG all night long like he used to
F The dust that Pancho bit down southC ended up inG Lefty's mouth
F The day they laid poor Pancho lowC Lefty split for OF hio
Am Where he got theF breadC toG go
ThereF ain't nobodyAm knowsG F
ChorusAll the Federales sayC they could have had himF any day
Am They only let himF slipC aG way
Out ofF kindness I supAm pose
InstrumentalAm G F C F C F Am
F C G F Am G C
Verse 4C The poets tell how Pancho fellG and Lefty's livin' in a cheap hotel
F The desert's quiet Cleveland's coldC and so the storyG ends we're told
F Pancho needs your prayers it's trueC but save a few forF Lefty too
Am He only did what heF hadC toG do
AndF now he's growingAm oldG F
ChorusAll the Federales sayC they could have had him anyF day
Am They only let himF goC soG long
Out ofF kindness I supAm poseG F
A few gray Federales sayC they could have had him anyF day
Am They only let himF goC soG long
Out ofF kindness I supAm poseF C