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Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty Chords

ChordsC, G, F, Am
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓-↓↑-↓↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to A,G,D keys to play this song with easier chords.

CLiving’ontheroadmyfriend,Gwasgonnakeepyoufreeandclean
FNowyouwearyourskinlikeiron,yourCbreath’sashardasGkerosene
FYouweren’tyourmamma’sonlyboy,butherCfavouriteoneitFseems
AmBegantocrywhenyouFsaidgoodbyeC,G
AndFsankintoyourAmdreams
CPanchowasabanditboys,Ghishorsewasfastaspolishedsteel
FHeworehisgunoutsidehispants,forCallthehonestGworldtofeel
FPanchomethismatchyouknow,intheCdesertdowninFMexico
AndAmnooneheardhisFdyingCwords,G
ButFthat’sthewayitAmgoes
FAlltheFederalessay,weCcouldhavehadhimFanyday
AmWeonlylethimFslip Gaway,G,outofFkindnessI Amsuppose
CLeftyhecan’tsingtheblues,Gallnightlonglikeheusedto
FThedustthatPanchobitdownsouth,CendedupinGLefty’smouth
FThedaytheylaidpoorPancholow,CLeftysplitforFOhio
AmWherehegottheFbreadtoCgo,G
ThereFain’tnobodyAmknows
FAlltheFederalessay,weCcouldhavehadhimFanyday
AmWeonlylethimFslip Caway,G,outofFkindnessI Amsuppose
CThepoetstellhowPanchofell,GLefty’slivinginacheaphotel
FThedesert’squietandCleveland’scold,andCsothestoryGends,we’retold
FPanchoneedsyourprayersit’strue,butCsaveafewforFLeftytoo
AmHeonlydidwhatheFhadtoCdo,G
AndFnowhe’sgrowingAmold
FAlltheFederalessay,weCcouldhavehadhimFanyday
AmWeonlylethimFslip Gaway,G,outofFkindnessI Amsuppose
FAfewgreyFederalessay,CcouldhavehadhimFanyday
AmWeonlylethimFgoCsoGlong,GoutofFkindnessI Amsuppose
AlbumLuxury Liner
GenresCountry
Year1977
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Pancho and Lefty on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Emmylou Harris - Pancho and Lefty on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓-↓↑-↓↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Pancho and Lefty uses these transitions most often: F → C (18), F → Am (16), and G → F (16). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Switching from C to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 14 times.

C to G

2. G → F chord transition

Switching from G to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 16 times.

G to F

3. F → C chord transition

To move from F to C:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  4. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 18 times.

F to C

4. F → Am chord transition

Here's how to move from F to Am:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 16 times.

F to Am

5. Am → C chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to C:

  1. Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Pancho and Lefty.

  • Pancho and Lefty includes 90 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Pancho and Lefty contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Pancho and Lefty connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → G: 21%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%