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Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Townes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9tr...

And we'll finish with Townes himself. Playing a medley of his hit.

Townes Van Zandt - Pancho & Lefty (Live in Austin, 1975) [RESTORED FOOTAGE]

YouTube video by Swingin’ Pig

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:53 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H3z...

You always knew Gillian Welch were going to have a great version of this song.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Pancho and Lefty (09-27-1997)

YouTube video by taparoo101

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:45 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Steve Earle - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCJ...

Steve Earle - Pancho & Lefty (Live at Amoeba)

YouTube video by Amoeba

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:38 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=scX5...

The first great cover of the song was by Emmylou.

Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty (Old Grey Whistle Test)

YouTube video by John1948FourC2

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:32 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Jason Isbell - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMfG...

Jason Isbell performs “Pancho and Lefty” • for ‘OUTLAWS AND ARMADILLOS’

YouTube video by Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:26 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Hurray For The Riff Raff - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HFC...

Hurray For The Riff Raff being one of my favourite singers of the past few years.

Hurray For The Riff Raff - PANCHO AND LEFTY (Townes Van Zandt)

YouTube video by Dori D. Productions

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:20 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

High Carbon Steel - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceKC...

This version plays it straight down the middle and is all the better for that.

Pancho and Lefty - High Carbon Steel (Cover)

YouTube video by High Carbon Steel Music

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:14 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Hoyt Axton - Pancho And Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7501...

This was, apparently, Townes' favourite cover of the song.

Poncho And Lefty

YouTube video by Hoyt Axton - Topic

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:06 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Rosanne Cash - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKlm...

Having Rosanne Cash cover your song is pretty cool!

Rosanne Cash sings "Pancho and Lefty" live in Washington D C November 19, 2015 in 1080p HD HiQ.

YouTube video by Independent Musicians Foundation

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoKv...

Merle and Willie took this cover to #1 on the country charts and it was the version that became most well-known.

Look for Townes playing a Federales captain in the video.

Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson - Pancho and Lefty (Video)

YouTube video by MerleHaggardVEVO

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 5:54 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

The original, from his 'The Late, Great, Townes Van Zandt' album.

Townes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heeo...

Poncho & Lefty

YouTube video by Townes Van Zandt - Topic

www.youtube.com

October 3, 2025 at 5:48 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Townes Van Zandt is great! And whilst I might not stand on Dylan's coffee table and proclaim him the best, he's up there.

So, apropos of it being a Friday night, and courtesy of an Old Fashioned, here's 11 versions of his most well-known song, 'Pancho and Lefty'.

You'll thank me for the earworm!

October 3, 2025 at 5:47 AM

Mike Brown

@maupuia.bsky.social

Gary U.S. Bonds - Quarter To Three
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7cA...

Final song. Complete change of pace. But, hey, I have it as a 45. Them's the rules. It's actually really good!