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

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 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 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 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 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 cheek as she kneels by my side
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
One little kiss and Feleena, goodbye


Lyrics submitted by Nataliexo

El Paso Lyrics as written by Marty Robbins

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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El Paso song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This was my favorite song growing up - Marty was the best ever at putting a western song to music - truly brought the Western to Country and Western - BTW, I heard that Marty Robbins wrote this song in less then 20 minutes - almost as fast as he could think it, the words and music came to him!

    jimraw1on May 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Oh I listen to the old stuff, and this is my favorite country singer and song. I was so sad when Marty died.

    lobo81865on September 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just basically a story... good song, anyhow and of course no comments on it, since most of the people on here listen to newer stuff!

    Rocklovinggirlon September 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    A beautiful song, artfully done by a legendary artist, that actually tells a story. It's pretty self-explanatory when it comes to the meaing. I must say, also, that it is a shame that people on here don't appreciate the artists who paved the way for the artists who are out there today.

    voodoochildeon November 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Marty has many really good ballad type songs along with many non-ballads. There is still a lot of us around that still like the older music.

    sir_looon January 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm only fourteen and I know most of kids my age listen to the new stuff.

    But I absolutely love Marty Robbins! I don't think I would like him if I didn't listen to him every time I got in the car with my Dad.

    And i agree Voodoochilde. I wished that younger people would learn to appreciate this type of music. Because this is actual music! (:

    whozaon August 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Or atleast older types of music I should say.

    whozaon August 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I must say.. I'm 26 years old, discovered this classic song YEARS ago, and its F-ing great!! HOW CAN THIS SONG NOT CHEER YOU UP??!? No matter what is going on... just goes to show ya that some youngbucks still have good tastes. I cant help but dance and sing along with this song any time i hear it, even when alone. Seriously.. bravo Mr. Robbins..

    DejaVu4evr39on November 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Does anyone else wonder if Felina is the one that shot him? I mean, he did shoot a man she seemed to have fancied.

    VictoriaLeeon November 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ah, the price of romantic love. As the artist himself said,

    A voice tells me to go and see Another voice keeps tellin' me Maybe Death Awaits Me in El Paso

    montresoron July 03, 2010   Link

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