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

[@markanderson5226]

This video should be in the Smithsonian. It is a national treasure.

[@raudivevoices]

Agreed. So many country artists influenced by just the one song. Its great.

[@stevendixon5467]

Yo

[@paintingonpurpose3917]

Not the Smithsonian! They take truth and Bury it.

[@lvait957]

Right up there with Leonard Cohen. Great Jam. I agree we should send it to space.

[@JohnnyLongstreet]

So was lefty

[@ebaylistentomusic]

I actually got to see Townes, in Boston in the early 70's. I was a high school kid with no friends into music like this. Went alone and I'm glad I did.

[@nbenefiel]

The first time I saw EmmyLou I went alone.

[@scottmead7943]

When you think about it it is the best way to see a show I want to see Bob Dylan and Tom Petty at Red Rocks alone and actually had to sneak into the back but I made it and it was the best show ever been to. You don't need friends to tell you about good music nice to have friends. But sometimes friends don't understand what you love. Townes Van Zandt is like that so is Bob Dylan so Steve Earle so Neil Young. The best poetry is not the hit song is someone that hits you in the balls song

[@johnladrig7980]

I wish I could have

[@peterc772]

The first time I saw Richard Thompson I went alone. It was a small, intimate theater. Would have loved to see Townes that way. It's the perfect way to experience a true singer-songwriter. The music and the lyrics come through and hit you in the heart.

[@powertrip6426]

The two best concerts I've ever been to I ended up going alone. Aesop Rock (rapper) and Japanther (2 man noise punk band). I made friends for the night at each show, even though we were strangers they treated me like old friends. Music is so amazing at bringing people together. One love ❤️

[@gradywattssongwriter]

Can you even imagine the music that we never heard because there weren't any cameras or recorders just campfires, hard work and storytellers. Thank God we have these videos and songs passed down...

[@bealiobealio]

jesus you aint lying bruv!! so many bangers!

[@jeremywilson7975]

Sadly, never heard......and, never will.

[@78ramcharger53]

We've missed alot unlike today so much is captured, wrong time though.

[@billygarcia9885]

If your song makes a cowboy cry, that’s when you know it’s good.

[@baileyrobinson1279]

This. That old guy probably hadn’t cried in decades…

[@EARL-zl5mv]

Right on. I feel the same way every time I hear this tune, it's hitting him like a rock.

[@alfaq654]

It's not the song making him cry. He's cryin' 'cause he knew exactly what the booze was gonna to do Townes. That man practically raised him.

[@donaldabel1233]

his son killed Blaze Foley

[@AlbertFachan]

I ain't no cowboy but yeah tears are streaming down

[@mlitzinger1398]

I love how his friend sitting at the table gets teared up. What a beautiful moment in somebody's kitchen .

[@JudsonParker]

Susanna Clark’s kitchen

[@jeremywilson7975]

Man, to see an old timer like that tear up get's you in the feels something serious.....

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

I love this version because it is so down to earth and humble. No bells and whistles just like a toyota truck thats all rusted out but keeps running

[@sergeantmasson3669]

He deserved more recognition than he ever received.

[@raudivevoices]

Agreed! As I said earlier, he inspired so many others.

[@RavenaDenver]

When every songwriter you love sites Townes as one of their biggest inspirations and you don't go see why, I'm pretty sure that really is a sin. He's definitely worth all the listens.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

Let’s not pretend the man wasn’t the partial architect of his own lack of recognition.

[@cadillacslim73]

You got dat right

[@nbenefiel]

We still love him and his music.

[@rufuswalling5519]

A song that puts you in a whole different time period

[@thomasdupont7186]

It kinda is timeless in a way isn't it ? Totally Universal, this clip could move a muslim from Irak, A Buddhist in Tibet, a French guy like me who has a love/hate relationship with the USA.... I have to admit I'm obsessed with these folk heroes....

[@MrEpeeFencer]

@@thomasdupont7186 This music was born from the old America, the REAL America. Before it all went wrong.

[@patricklink8527]

One of the most beautiful and poignant songs ever written. It's power is clear to be seen in the face and eyes of The Man Behind Townes. The man was a genius. Ahead of his time. An outlaw in every sense. His death was a tragedy in that I don't believe this was the last song of this caliber he had in him. His loss is one that the whole human race suffers for. His is a great story of redemption. For his unbridled appetite for drugs which I believed stemmed from his deep understanding of The Human Condition and inability to cope with people who could be so horrible. While he was always good natured . He needed to find peace somewhere and we are all poorer for his loss. We love you townes! You will never be forgotten!

[@lepetitoiseau]

you're right he died while preparing an album with Sonic youth, he didn't want to be hospitalized after his fall for finish this project, he said he still had songs in him, but his years of wandering have caught up with him ,i miss Townes

[@shanehopson8644]

well said

[@patricklink8527]

@@lepetitoiseau I'm a huge Sonic Youth fan. The fact that he chose to record with them says a lot about who the man was.

[@JennyWren333]

A real sweet tribute. ❤

[@roncarpenter7240]

This song should be taught in university literature classes on how to tell a story.

[@stevenhaley443]

Pops in the background is listening to the story.. Shows the power of the narrative.

[@AndyRiot]

And the power of surrendering to great art!

[@dingleydb]

the black old timer in the background says it all, you know great music when you hear it

[@jesstwocrow1005]

He's crying from the beauty of it

[@78ramcharger53]

Beautiful moment.

[@sandyburke3222]

Who is he? He's crying because he knows something about this song.

[@MrUtubejeff]

I love that old timer 🖤❤️‍🩹🖤

[@jimwilliams232]

His name is “ Lefty”

[@alanjohnson1868]

In 1979 I was tending bar in a restaurant in Nashville, Ruby Tuesday’s. Townes and a couple of his friends sat at the bar for drinks and dinner. What an interesting evening. Great talent and I’m honored to have had a bit of time to talk with him.

[@machtschnell7452]

This is what an epic ballad is all about by an epic songwriter.

[@hughbarton5743]

Incomparable. Chilling. Two lives pared down to a llittle song by a busted old cowboy. Thank you, Townes. Thanks to all who brought this great work to us to witness. Townes: if there is another side once we're done, I'll see you on the far bank of that dark river. If I am fortunate, we'll get a chance to sit about and sing a song.

[@joehall3264]

Townes, man. I tear up every time.

[@jettyprice179]

I sing this song and love the words and emotional content...Townes was such a brilliant songwriter and his songs have given me and many others joy...what a gift he had.

[@nickjuno8338]

One of my favorite Townes songs! Just fantastic! We are lucky to have had him if only for a little while...

[@mikewashburn6484]

Hi

[@walliegirl2]

Who is the woman in this video?

[@freddyboombatz]

Man, I got choked up watching the old guy tear up!

[@wanderer0617]

me too

[@travisthornton1792]

He was actually breaking up during Townes’ “Waiting Around to Die.” This video mashed up videos of the two songs

[@matt.willoughby]

@@lepetitoiseauHe's Seymour Washington, a travelling blacksmith and was Townes van Zandt 's neighbour at this point in time

[@cheryldecgmail]

The story of how this song came to him blew my mind. I've loved this song for years. I never get tired of it.

[@jonathanlantzy7526]

Can you explain this to me? I literally stumbled upon from a Josh Riiter binge to a Bob Weir binge.. and ended up here. Now I'm... I don't know.

[@dotwalston3055]

This is a great song! I loved hearing him sing and I love Willie and Merle singing and playing it! Too bad he died so young😢

[@Clemsoncrawler362]

I was living in a shop where I was employed to climb and remove and prune trees, the ones other companies didn’t want. I had a mentor that turned me onto Townes. I tripped mushrooms every afternoon for over a month with my Pitt bulls stockin the fire to warm the shop overnight and listened to Townes. I will go happy when I finally go.

[@jamesblames2]

Few songs are as beautiful as this one.

[@bendummitt888]

1975 was a different world. I miss it...

[@ben-jam-in6941]

One of the most human and beautiful moments I’ve ever witnessed. That tuff ole cow poke wouldn’t cry easy over anything ya know. That’s it. That’s why God is real. Because tuff ole gentleman like him still feel that and because this song got wrote.

[@ben-jam-in6941]

Watching this video again a few weeks after discovering it. With a little less emotions because I know what’s coming I still find it beautiful and amazing but… this time I noticed the guitar more and would love to be lucky enough to find it in some closet somewhere. I think it’s a Gibson and that just makes it even better idk for sure because the camera guy almost shows the headstock clearly then just as it’s about to happen it pans away. lol. Any brand would be great but Gibson or another one of the more expensive brands would be better.

[@jimi99colorado]

He was a local hero in Houston in late '60s early '70s...radio, concerts, albums

[@chico11mbit]

one of the best country songs of all time.

[@nehpetsttocsnosirrag6227]

Holy fluppin sheeaht!! What a gem of a video. This is super classic.

[@francinecorry633]

I can listen to this song again and again no matter who sings it. Thank you Townes for that and more, of course!

[@peepininmywindow5170]

I’ve watched this video countless times, only to just now see Uncle Seymour seemingly look up in the heavens and remember what it must have been like when his momma “Began to cry when he said goodbye, sank into your dreams.” What a moment. I can’t believe I just now noticed it.

[@frugalaudio]

That's because it's from a different part of the film, in which Townes is singing "Waiting Around to Die".

[@joeljoel5061]

Townes and Bob Dylan are both proof, you don't need a great voice... You need a real voice, and something to really sing about.

[@andrew3606]

I think Townes does have a great voice too tbh

[@shittysunglasses]

100%. I love unconventional voices

[@debbyledbetter4434]

Fortunate to have grown up in and around the Texas towns he played/lived. Remember well just walking into a place downtown Houston, or in Austin, etc... Forever grateful, thanks for making my afternoon warmer. Thanks SP, take care, debs

[@dazin7886]

never thought I'd see Townes on this channel but a welcome surprise for sure

[@Pumpkinking64]

Imagine drinking a beer and eating a country dinner while Townes plays this next to you

[@dmac8949]

Paradise???

[@neilwilliams6196]

Yes@@dmac8949

[@ajwetzel3303]

​@@dmac8949probably

[@SapphireSmith-b4s]

Out in the west Texas sunset on a cattle drive evening drinking whiskey and a smoke quiet and still, watching the stars fall down and I tip my hat to that starchaser

[@beaumorris5289]

Raw and Rare.I love this one.

[@helendylan1510]

I lived in Austin in 75, had some great times and some great music.

[@JeffMTX]

Catfish parlour, oat willies and liberty lunch ma friend

[@nbenefiel]

I was in Dublin in 75, great times, great music. I guess it was an international phenomenon.

[@marknine8061]

Definitely! The armadillo!

[@jeffwells1255]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this website, but it's one of my favorites! I first heard this song in a performance by Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson that really got to me, so hearing it from the person who wrote it has been a treat!

[@johnbrinkman4609]

Lungs,nothin,if i needed u..... DYLAN wishes he could write this good.

[@JJG86]

I never heard the version with Bob Dylan. Of course, I’ve listened to the Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard version 1000 times and I never get tired of it. I also like the Emmylou Harris version very much.

[@patrickmacleod2415]

@@JJG86 And while I love those guys, nothing beats the Townes version.

[@monsieurgidge8028]

i watch this video at least once every 2 weeks . and it makes me feel the same way every time i watch it. it's just something about the song

[@tdw57]

That's really fine. So many covers just skip over the words with no emotion...Only Townes can do it justice.

[@ericlehmkuhl3187]

He wrote it.

[@lenorapfeffermultidimensio3155]

Recently discovered Townes, and his work is extraordinary

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Heartbreaking stuff. Long live Townes.

[@tia2all501]

You do know he passed away Jan 1st.1997 he still lives on in our hearts ♥️

[@SFJonesy]

Thanks so much for posting this. I've been singing this song for years and I am truly humbled.

[@stevemartin9670]

An amazing song writer and performer! Only wish I could have seen him live!

[@elliottlaughlin7551]

My dad love this song. By Townes no one else. There’s a story on a road trip but we will leave it there.

[@RandomNEGuy]

still my favorite song of all time.. thank you so much.

[@JosephJohnson-it2dh]

Loved this. What a National treasure

[@19JAKEtheSNAKE99]

Townes and Dylan are my two favs of all time. Thanks so much for this.

[@nbenefiel]

I prefer Phil Ochs to Dylan any day, but Townes was brilliant.

[@zoeyshoots]

Dylan sold his soul to satan. Freely admits it. I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire.!!

[@walliegirl2]

I prefer Marty Robbins to Dylan.

[@larryenglish7366]

Many others recorded this, but this is my FAVORITE, clean , heartfelt , Genuine , Smooth to the soul ..

[@BeauPayne-x5c]

Good God, what a song, what a rendition !!!

[@johnorgan3]

My daughter and I would play Pancho, by Emmy Lou, and we wept Every time. Real tears for real music.

[@davidmurray5399]

I and two of my friends from the University Rodeo Team, road tripped down to Austin to hear some of the music we liked in a live concert. A guy we talked with got us to travel down to Houston to a place called the "Old Quarter", and in that small, crowded room we heard Townes play this song and many others.

[@HelloGoodby]

I don't know why but this song always reminds me of my first husband and his partner (cops) patrolling the border of Mexico in the back country of San Rafael Valley.... Rest in peace both of you.

[@cynthiawilson4500]

Emmylou harris sang this song the first time I heard it. She has a lovely voice. Its nice to hear the song writer sing it. It sure is making the man behind him emotional.

[@davidholton9667]

Hello how are you? So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song

[@EffSharp]

I used to cover this song and I could almost not get through the last verse. Brilliant. ❤️

[@rtg1960]

This is just beautiful. Beautiful!

[@RamdyEvans]

Glad u took it, what an incredible once in a lifetime experience I wish I had it. Townes van Zandt, John prine, guy Clark all my top favorites ❤ also would have loved to have met Seymore

[@Oliver_Cumberland]

Thanks. His "Live at the Old Quarter" is one of my favourite albums and it's nice to see a live performance with decent sound.

[@johntracy9753]

One of a kind. Made me cry too. Strikes cord in you heart.

[@thomasdupont7186]

Masterpiece......Musically but also as a piece of film. Great testimony. Very authentic. Even I (the French number one "redneck" hater ) could not unheard or unsee what I just witnessed, I'm still under the spell. oh man.... The love and understanding in the eyes of this woman (the way she moves and feels the rhythm of the ballad), "Uncle Seymour" who lived thru segregation and yet preserved his soul from any anger or hate, and decided to focus on wisdom (you can tell). The affection these 3 seems to have for each other... So simple and yet beautiful... Even the acoustic is perfect, the raw beauty of his singing. This is truly something.....

[@thomashamby1236]

You couldn’t have told it a better way

[@thomasdupont7186]

@@thomashamby1236 Hey ! Thank you Thomas (we do have the same name^^).,English is not my native tongue, I know it is far from perfect but I tried to express it as best as I could. I'm still obsessed with these folk heroes. Are you from the USA ?

[@MrJcosta97]

Great work. The Townes clips stole that whole documentary/film. "I'll play a medley of my hit.."

[@un7t783]

a Medley Of your Hit!?

[@mario7frankielee]

@@un7t783 yeah he said that😅 must watch the whole movie

[@ElisonJackson]

that guy clark clip 'old time feeling' is another great moment

[@kevindrago2701]

I’ll play a medley of my hit!! Classic Townes!! I love when he sings waiting around to die an old man Seymour starts crying

[@un7t783]

@@mario7frankielee i did watch it :) there is a guy that says the same thing he says right after he says it

[@5thEstatePress]

The first time I watched this I was affected emotionally by the tears apparently shed by by uncle Seymour at a critical point in this song. Much later I discovered that the footage in this section was spliced from a different song, "Waiting around to die" which was in the movie "Heartworn Highways", whereas "Pancho & Lefty" was an outtake and is not featured in the movie.

[@Unplugged70]

Insane that this was an outtake in anything.

[@bigrig4385]

​@@Unplugged70 The opening credits is an amazing performance of L.A. Freeway by Guy Clark.

[@dmanwainright2132]

Prolly the most underrated dude ever...wish I could see him sing White Freightliner on ACL..

[@PatrickWooten-wo1jf]

I've never heard your sound before...Love it!!You have it!!Kick Ass on the acoustic and chilling voice!! Thank you...

[@MichaelKurse]

This is the first time I heard this Legend ....He did not disappoint.😲😲😯

[@maskedmofomike]

Lots of big love. Thanks for the upload. Bless you

[@Dfnormile]

The most moving performance and footage of all time

[@willmiddleton9199]

No words.... This is *powerful* and *beautiful* beyond words, RIP

[@michaelturner795]

Amen.

[@CK-dd7eq]

The old man crying was beautiful 💚

[@xanther97]

Thanks for your electronic mixing and restoration on this--not a simple matter!

[@orvpibbs2905]

Townes was such a great songwriter ! r.i.p. ; (

[@hughbarton5743]

Nothing better.I was crying like old guy sitting to Town's right....

[@timallen5917]

Brings a tear everytime I listen

[@richardshirley2786]

“Like a gift you’re still bringin,”Guy Clark.Thanks old friend.

[@ThomasSarantos]

The part of the video where the older man is crying is from a different performance, actually. It's from when he plays "Waiting Around To Die".

[@9eyeh8chu9]

yes it was

[@mrtips2175]

Thanks , this edit pisses me off .

[@deemdoubleu]

@@mrtips2175 yeah it's a bit dishonest if that's what they did

[@alsharpe]

@@mrtips2175 Calm down, the uploader explained why they made the edit in a comment. It wasn’t for any nefarious purpose

[@mikemorgan5015]

@@alsharpe His explanation doesn't justify pulling video from a completely different segment that brought a man to tears and plugging it back into a song that didn't. If you haven't already, search and play the other ones from this same sitting and tell me what you think. Certainly the sound is better, I just think it's wrong to do it this way. This cut implies for future generations that THIS song made old Uncle Seymour cry when, in fact, it didn't. That may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me.

[@charleswilliams3988]

I worked for his uncle and went with his cousin. Back in the early 1980's something happened and the law was after him. He came down to San Antonio to hide out at his uncle's house. He had lawyer working on it so he need some where to hide out. Townes was there around a month. He played guitar every day. And slow on drinking some times. He could play guitar. He could play alot of old country songs. He was quite the character. He could stop playing guitar. But the guitar or a story in his mind. He could be talking to all of the and get up walk away and go somewhere to play a song or a tune it was the guitar that was his mind. It was like 24/7 guitar that was Townes life.

[@suzramuse]

Thank you for sharing. The way you put it seems so real I can just imagine. Lucky you!

[@duke40229]

Chopping onions at 7 am.😢

[@hughbarton5743]

See you on the other side of that dark river, Mr.VanZandt. Perhaps we might sing a song or two. Good luck and a fine New Year to you and yours.

[@Labor_Jones]

I got to open for Townes when that became a HIT for Willie at place called EMMAJOES. I'd never had more than 5 people listen to me before and when faced with a crowd I sucked. The Management were so mad at me they wanted to have the Biker security fk-me-up, but Townes came in, saw I was in trouble and made peace before I was hammered. 🙂

[@mllemdp2010]

Great song. What a beautiful restoration! Great job!!!

[@terryblankenshipmusic1322]

I met you when you were about 14 and you were working as a Roadie / guitar tech for your Dad but you told me then you had aspirations of having your own career , damn if you didn’t do it , RIP Brother

[@robertlewis6543]

Such great songwriting! 🫶🏻 🎸🤠 🎶📝

[@rubbabubba6489]

A man, a guitar, and a great song

[@willperryman4559]

Such a great video of one of my favorite songs ever🎶🕊️💜🕊️🎶 Thank you for sharing it 🙏

[@TPOELKS]

A true treasure……we are so fortunate to have this forever….

[@lindaxyz7646]

I met him shortly before this when my boyfriend interviewed him for The Daily Texan. Glenn Jones (RIP) was my ticket to ... the rest of my life. I will always love him for (screw)ing up and us getting to move to San Francisco in January 1975 to, in his words, "keep an eye on the situation down in Carmel." Therein lies a tale; I'll have to wait to tell it. I pray there's time and an easing of statutes of limitations ... Texas woulda still had me jailed. Rest in Peace, Fat Charlie (Pritchard). Now that you and Glenn are both gone and Rhett Beard has joined you on the other side too, there's just me left to tell our story. I still laugh and cry.

[@chrisstiles374]

“They only let him go so wrong… out of kindness I suppose” Just in one line, he says so freaking much.

[@davidparnell1893]

Townes had the heart of a nation...sometimes profound in its silence...but assured in his voiced words. The expansive west delayed revolutions to be faced when imposters of wealth and power sought their fortunes over the ordinary citizens.

[@CarolynRichards-j6g]

love this guy n the man in the background in tears !!

[@aarond23]

So heartfelt and raw....one of the best bits of music ever filmed.

[@robertguinn5863]

Hurts me to see the old man in tears rip Van 🙏

[@aaronhowell7860]

Beautiful and down to Earth.......beyond perfect....

[@JennyWren333]

A treasure. Thank you SP 🐷 ❤

[@420snoogins]

Incredible. Moving. Timeless.

[@samuelcarvalho542]

Um mostro o maior compositor da América!

[@billorourke7152]

My favorite video ever

[@joehall3264]

"...she began to cry when you said 'goodbye"... did you see the guy in the background, his eyes and smile. He lived that. He felt those lyrics. Whoa

[@wanderer0617]

This is so special, thank you ❤

[@truthhurts837]

I come back to this and live.

[@emanuelsoares9331]

Amo essas músicas do velho oeste bela história me emocionei.

[@RainShadow22]

This old hippie girl born a decade too late absolutely clings to everything Townes

[@ronpfeiffer9157]

Nothing but tears here when this song lives

[@commoveo1]

Nicely sung ✨❤️✨. ✌🏼

[@commoveo1]

🎧👍🏽