Most folks know the Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard version of this outlaw country classic, but here’s a version done by the original author, Townes van Zandt. His own name never got as big as his most famous tune, but you should check into Townes van Zandt - “Pancho & Lefty” is just one of his amazing, well-crafted songs.

I must have listened to the Nelson/Haggard version five times on my trip back up from Sacramento yesterday. The chorus….oh man, nearly gets me weepy every time.

Lyrics after the jump.

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