60s - El Paso (Marty Robbins)

El Paso

"El Paso" is a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins, and first released on his album "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 #1 in both at the start of 1960 (2 weeks @ #1 at US Billboard Hot 100 in January). It won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961, and remains Robbins' best-known song.

Lyrics:

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Night time would find me in Rosa's Cantina
Music would play and Feleena would whirl
Blacker than night were the eyes of Feleena
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

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 loved

So in danger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
My challenege 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 raced through my mind as I stood there
I had but one chance and that was to run

Out to the backdoor 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

Just as fast as I could from the west Texas town of El Paso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico
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

I saddled up and away I did go riding alone in the dark
Maybe tomorrow a bullet would 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 Rosa's Cantina below
My love is strong and it pushes me onward
Down off the hill to Feleena 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 have to make it to Rosa's backdoor

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 gettin' weary unable to ride

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
From out of nowhere Feleena has found me
Kissing my cheeks as she kneels by my side
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
One little kiss then Feleena goodbye.