El Paso
"El Paso" is a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins, and first released on Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs in September 1959. It was released as a single the following month, and became a major hit on both the country and pop music charts, reaching No. 1 in both at the start of 1960 (the first No. 1 hit of the 1960's). It won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961, and remains Robbins' best-known song. It is widely considered a genre classic for its gripping narrative which ends in the death of its protagonist, its shift from past to present tense, haunting harmonies by vocalists Bobby Sykes and Jim Glaser (of the Glaser Brothers) and the eloquent and varied Spanish guitar accompaniment by Grady Martin that lends the recording a distinctive Tex-Mex feel. The name of the character Feleena was based upon a schoolmate of Robbins in the fifth grade; Fidelina Martinez.
artistLyrics
Nighttime would find me in Rose`s Cantina,
Music would play and Felina would whirl.
Black as the night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was strong for this Mexican maiden,
I was in love, but in vain I could tell.
One night a wild young cowboy came in, wild as the West Texas wind...
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,
With wicked Felina, the girl that I love.
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.
Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.
Out through the back door of Rose`s I ran, out where the horses were tied...
I picked a good one; he looked like he could run,
Up on his back and away I did ride.
Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso,
Out through the badlands of New Mexico.
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless;
Everything`s gone in life nothing is left.
But it`s been so long since I`ve seen the young maiden,
My love is stronger that my fear of death.
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.
And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso,
I can see Rose`s Cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward, down off the hill to Felina I go.
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`ve got to make it to Rose`s back door.
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel a deep burning pain in my side
It`s getting harder to stay in the saddle.
I`m getting weary, unable to ride.
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.
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 and Felina good-bye.
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