Digital Tradition Mirror

El Paso

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

El Paso

SOURCE:
Bob Pfeffer

SOURCE'S SOURCE: Marty Robbins (1959)

TEXT:
     D                      e
<i>  Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
     A7                          D
     I fell in love with a Mexican girl
      D                         e
     Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina
      A7                              D
     Music would play and Felina would whirl

<i>  Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina
     Wicked and evil while casting a spell
     My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
     I was in love but in vain I could tell

     G                       C  G   D7  G
<ii>  One night a wild young cowboy came in
      G                      D7
     Wild as the West Texas wind
      D7
     Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
      D7                               G
     With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

           A7        D                      e
<iii>  So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this
maiden
      A7                                  D
     Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D                        e
     My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

A7                                     D
     The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor
<i>  Just for a moment I stood there in silence
     Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
     Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there
     I had but one chance, and that was to run

<ii>  Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran
     Out where the horses were tied
     I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
     Up on its back and away I did ride

<iii>  Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El
Paso
     Out to the badlands of New Mexico
     < - >
     < - >

<i>  Back in El Paso my life would be worthless
     Everything's gone in life, nothing is left
     It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
     My love is stronger than my fear of death
<ii>  I saddled up and away I did go
     Riding alone in the dark
     Maybe tomorrow a bullet will find me
     Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart

<iii>  And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso
     I can see Rosa's cantina below
     My love is strong and it pushes me onward
     Down off the hill to Felina I go

<i>  Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys
     Off to my left ride a dozen or more
     Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me
     I have to make it to Rosa's back door

<ii>  Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel
     A deep burning pain in my side
     Though I am trying to stay in the saddle
     I'm getting weary, unable to ride
<iii>  But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've
fallen
     Though I am weary I can't stop to rest
     I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
     I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

<i>  From out of nowhere Felina has found me
     Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
     Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
     One little kiss, then Felina goodbye.

Copyright Unichapell Music, Inc.
RPf

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