El Paso (Listen to midi)    (Listen to sample)

 

      C                                 Dm

1.  Out in the West Texas town of El Paso ,

    G                              G7        C

     I fell in love with a Mexican girl.

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    Nighttime would find me in Rosie's Cantina,

      G                                  G7               C

    music would play and Felina would whirl.

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    Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,

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    wicked and evil while casting a spell.

     C                                         Dm

    My love was strong for this Mexican maiden,

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    I was in love, but in vain I could tell.

     F  

    One night a wild young cowboy came in, 

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     wild as the West Texas wind,

                  

    dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,

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    with wicked Felina, the girl that I love. So in an - ger I

 

        C                                     Dm

2. challenged his right for the love of this maiden,

      G                                       G7                C

   down went his hand for the gun that he wore.

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   My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat,

           G                                             G7                C

   the handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

                                    Dm

   Just for a moment I stood there in silence,

      G                                  G7              C

   shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.

 

                                                     Dm

   Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there,

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   I had but one chance and that was to run.

 

 

 

      F

    Out through the back door of Rose's I ran,

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    out where the horses were tied.

    \                                       \

    I caught a good one, he looked like he could run,

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    up on his back and away I did ride. Just as fast as  I

 

       C                                       Dm

3. could from the West Texas town of El Paso,

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   out through the badlands of New Mexico.

      C                          Dm       

   Back in El Paso my life would be worthless,

    G                                    G7           C

   Everything's gone in life nothing is left.

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   But it's been so long since I've seen the young maiden,

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   my love is stronger that my fear of death.

   F                                                                                 C

    I saddled up and away I did go, riding alone in the dark.

                                        

    Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me,

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    tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart.

                  G    G7

    And as last here I

 

    C                           Dm                       

4. am on the hill overlooking El Paso,

     G                              G7         C

      I can see Rose's Cantina below.

                                           Dm

    My love is strong and it pushes me onward,  

 

      G                             G7     C

    down off the hill to Felina I go.

                                   Dm                                   

   Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys,

     G                            G7           C

    off to my left ride a dozen or more.

                                           Dm

   Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me,

    G                                G7                C

   I've got to make it to Rosie's back door.

      F                                                                                                       

    Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel  

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    a deep burning pain in my side.

 

    It's getting harder to stay in the saddle,

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     I'm getting weary, unable to ride. But my love for

 

        C                            Dm

5. Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,

         G                            G7               C

    Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest.

                                         Dm

    I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle,

   G                             G7              C

    I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

                                         Dm

    From out of nowhere, Felina has found me,

     G                                      G7                C

   Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.

       C                             Dm   

   Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,

     G                            G7             C

   One little kiss and Felina, goodbye.

 

    (Marty Robbins)