Pancho And Lefty - Emmylou Harris

Pancho And Lefty chords

C                            
Living on the road my friend
G
Is gonna keep you free and clean
F                  
Now you wear your skin like iron
C                      G
Your breath as hard as kerosene
F                                         
Weren't your mama's only boy
        C               F
But her favorite one it seems
    Am                    F    C    G
She began to cry when you said goodbye
    F              Am      G 
And sank into your dreams
C                        G
Pancho was a bandit boys his horse was fast as polished steel
F
He wore his gun outside his pants
    C                       G
For all the honest world to feel
F                                    C               F
Pancho met his match you know on the deserts down in Mexico
Am               F  C  G            F                 Am   G 

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Nobody heard his dying words ah but that's the way it goes
F                     C                       F
All the Federales say they could have had him any day
Am                F    C  G        F             Am   G
They only let him slip away out of kindness I suppose
C                             G
Lefty he can't sing the blues all night long like he used to
F                                   C           G
The dust that Pancho bit down south ended up in Lefty's mouth
F                                 C               F
The day they laid poor Pancho low Lefty split for Ohio
Am               F     C  G        F            Am  G
Where he got the bread to go there ain't nobody knows
F                      C                  F
All the Federales say  could have had him any day
Am                F    C  G        F          Am    G 
They only let him slip away out of kindness I suppose

SOLO

C                              G
Poets tell how Pancho fell and Lefty's living in a cheap hotel
F
The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold,
C                G
And so the story ends we're told
F                                       C              F
Pancho needs your prayers it's true but save a few for Lefty too
Am                  F   C  G       F                Am  G
He only did what he had to do  and now he's growing old
F                     C                  F
All the Federales say could have had him any day
Am              F    C  G        F              Am G
We only let him slip away out of kindness I suppose
F                         C                  F
A few gray Federales say  could have had him any day
Am                   F  C  G              F              Am     
We only only let him go so long out of of kindness I suppose



How to play "Pancho And Lefty" by Emmylou Harris on guitar

Intro & Verse Chord Progression:
- Start with the C major chord, transitioning to G major, which introduces
  the nostalgic and reflective mood of the song.
- Switch to F major to deepen the narrative texture, then return to C major
  before revisiting G major for lyrical emphasis.

Playing the Chords:
- C major: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string,
  middle on the 2nd fret of the D string, and index on the 1st fret of the B string.
- G major: Index on 2nd fret A, middle on 3rd fret low E, and ring on 3rd fret high E.
- F major: Bar your index finger across the 1st fret of all strings, place your
  middle on the 2nd fret of G, ring on the 3rd fret of A, and pinky on the 3rd fret of D.
- Am: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, middle on the 2nd fret
  of the D string, and ring on the 2nd fret of the G string.

Strumming Pattern:
- Use a consistent strumming pattern that combines downstrokes and upstrokes to
  maintain a steady, flowing rhythm throughout the song.

Chorus Dynamics:
- Increase strumming intensity slightly during the chorus to highlight the dramatic
  and emotive elements of the storyline, where the fate of Pancho and Lefty unfolds.

Common Mistakes:
- Pay attention to the barre chord positioning for F major, ensuring it is clean
  and not muted, as this chord plays a significant role in the song's harmonic structure.
- Ensure smooth transitions between C, G, and F to keep the melodic line fluid and cohesive.

Solo:
- During the solo section, continue the established chord progression to provide
  a harmonic backdrop that complements the lead melody.

Outro:
- Conclude with the narrative and reflective chorus progression, mirroring the
  song’s thematic and melodic motifs to bring a sense of closure.

Song's Theme:
- The lyrics weave a tale of myth, loss, and the passage of time, capturing the
  interconnected lives of Pancho and Lefty through a poetic and mournful lens.

Regular practice of these chord progressions and attention to lyrical phrasing will
help you effectively deliver the poignant and storied essence of "Pancho And Lefty."