This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Nighttime would find me in Rose'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 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 challeneged 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 caught 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 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 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 the 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, goodbye.
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Nighttime would find me in Rose'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 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 challeneged 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 caught 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 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 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 the 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, goodbye.
Lyrics submitted by ecorchee1
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