All the Federales say
They could of had him any day
They only let him hang around
Out of kindness, I suppose.
Townes Van Zandt, “Pancho And Lefty” — his recording of his best-known song, which was a hit for the duet of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. (And there’s an amazing live version by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.) Van Zandt, who struggled with drugs and mental illness, died fifteen years ago today, Jan. 1, 1997, at age 52.
Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Track: Pancho And Lefty