Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
“El Paso” by Marty Robbins appears on his 1959 album, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.
This song won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording of 1960. It’s a story song, sung in the first person about forbidden love and a jealous boyfriend. Like Warren Zevon’s “Jeannie Needs a...
[Verse 1]
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Nighttime would find me in Rosa's Cantina
Music would play and Feleena would whirl
[Verse 2]
Blacker than night were the eyes of Feleena
Wicked and evil while casting her spell
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
I was in love, but in vain, I could tell
[Chorus 1]
One night, a wild young cowboy came in
Wild as the West Texas wind
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
With wicked Feleena, the girl that I love
[Verse 3]
So in anger, I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor
[Full-Length Version - Verse 4]
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
[Chorus 2]
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
[Post-Chorus]
Just as fast as I could
From the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico
[Verse 5]
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
[Chorus 3]
I saddled up, and away I did go
Riding alone in the dark
Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me
Tonight, nothing's worse than this pain in my heart
[Verse 6]
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 Feleena, I go
[Verse 7]
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
[Chorus 4]
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
[Verse 8]
But my love for Feleena 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
[Outro]
From out of nowhere, Feleena 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, and Feleena, goodbye
El Paso was written by Marty Robbins.
El Paso was produced by Don Law.
The song is a first-person narrative about an ill-fated love triangle, as sung by a cowboy in El Paso, Texas, in the days of the Wild West. The singer recalls how he frequented a nightclub called “Rosa’s Cantina,” where he became smitten with a young Mexican dancer named Felina and falls in love wit...