How to Play "Pancho and Lefty" Guitar chords
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(Verse 1)
D
Livin' on the road, my friend
A
Was gonna keep us free and clean
G
But now you wear your skin like iron
D A
And your breath's as hard as kerosene
G
You weren't your mama's only boy
D G
But her favorite one, it seems
Bm G A
She began to cry when you said good bye
G Bm
And sank into your dreams
(Verse 2)
D
Pancho was a bandit, boys
A
Rode a horse fast as polished steel
G
Wore his guns outside his pants
D A
For all the honest world to feel
G
Pancho met his match, you know
D G
On the deserts down in Mexico
Bm G A
No one heard his dyin' words
G Bm
But that's the way it goes
(Chorus)
G
And all the federales say
D G
They could have had him any day
Bm G A
They only let him slip away
G Bm
Out of kindness, I suppose
(Verse 3)
D
Now Lefty he can't sing the blues
A
All night long like he used to
G
The dust that Pancho bit down South
D A
It ended up in Lefty's mouth
G
The day they laid old Pancho low
D G
Lefty split for Ohio
Bm G A
Where he got the bread to go
G Bm
Well there ain't nobody 'knows
(Chorus)
(Verse 4)
D
Now poets sing how Pancho fell
A
Lefty's livin' in a cheap hotel
G
The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold
D A
And so the story ends, we're told
G
Pancho needs your prayers, it's true
D G
But save a few for Lefty, too
Bm G A
He only did what he had to do
G Bm
And now he's growin' old
(Chorus)
(Final Chorus)
D
Yes a few old gray federales still say
D G
They could have had him any day
Bm G A
They only let him go so wrong
G Bm
Out of kindness, I suppose
How to play "Pancho and Lefty" by Willie Nelson on guitar
Intro & Verse Chord Progression:
- Start with the D major chord, transitioning to A major for a classic
country ballad feel.
- Shift to G major to add narrative depth, and return to D major,
reinforcing the story’s cyclical nature.
Playing the Chords:
- D major: Index on 2nd fret G, ring on 3rd fret B, and middle on 2nd fret high E.
- A major: Index on 2nd fret D, middle on 2nd fret G, and ring on 2nd fret B.
- G major: Index on 2nd fret A, middle on 3rd fret low E, and ring on 3rd fret high E.
- Bm: Barre the 2nd fret from A to high E, place middle on 3rd fret B,
ring on 4th fret D, and pinky on 4th fret G.
Strumming Pattern:
- Employ a steady, flowing strum, using primarily downstrokes with occasional
upstrokes on the off-beats to emphasize the lyrical storytelling.
Chorus Dynamics:
- Intensify the strumming slightly in the chorus to highlight the dramatic
recounting of the song’s characters and their fates.
Common Mistakes:
- Avoid rushing through the transitions between chords, especially from G to D
and during the inclusion of Bm, which provides a melodic tension within the narrative.
- Be mindful of the strumming intensity to ensure the vocals remain the focal point.
Verse and Chorus Details:
- Repeat the established chord progression, focusing on lyrical delivery to
convey the emotional and narrative depth of each verse and chorus.
Outro:
- Conclude with a repetition of the chorus, slowing down slightly to emphasize
the reflective nature of the song's conclusion.
Song's Theme:
- The lyrics tell a poignant tale of friendship, betrayal, and the passage of time,
encapsulated through the fabled lives of Pancho and Lefty.
Regular practice of these chord progressions and mindful attention to lyrical
delivery will help you capture the evocative and storied essence of "Pancho and Lefty."