About the song
“El Paso” by Marty Robbins is a landmark country-western ballad, a song that transcends genre boundaries and tells a captivating story of love, jealousy, and tragic fate. Released in 1959, this track stands as a testament to Robbins’s exceptional storytelling ability and his distinctive vocal style. It’s more than just a country song; it’s a cinematic narrative, a sweeping tale of the Old West.
The song’s lyrics, written by Robbins himself, tell the story of a cowboy who falls in love with a Mexican girl named Feleena. His jealousy leads to a violent confrontation, forcing him to flee. However, his love for Feleena proves too strong, and he returns to El Paso, only to meet a tragic end. Robbins’s vocal delivery, marked by its dramatic phrasing and emotive storytelling, enhances the song’s captivating and poignant quality.
Marty Robbins’s vocal style, characterized by its smooth baritone and narrative delivery, imbues the song with a sense of both drama and vulnerability. He doesn’t just sing the lyrics; he narrates them, bringing the characters and setting to life with vivid detail and compelling emotion. This storytelling prowess is a hallmark of his artistry, and it’s what makes his rendition of “El Paso” so captivating.
The song’s arrangement, typically sparse and uncluttered, allows Robbins’s vocals and the narrative to take center stage. The gentle acoustic guitar and subtle rhythm section create a sense of intimacy and suspense, mirroring the tragic romance of the story.
“El Paso” is more than just a country song; it’s a cinematic experience, a short story told through music that resonates with listeners of all generations. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the Western genre and its ability to capture the imagination with tales of love, loss, and the rugged frontier.
Video
Lyrics
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 Felina would whirl
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
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 loved
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 raced through my mind as I stood there
I had but one chance and that was to run
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
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 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 Rosa’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 have to make it to Rosa’s back door
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
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, goodbye
