About the Song
In the realm of country music, Marty Robbins stands as a true legend, his deep, resonant voice and captivating storytelling weaving tales of love, loss, and the American frontier. Among his many enduring hits, “El Paso” holds a special place, a hauntingly beautiful ballad that encapsulates the essence of the Wild West and the complexities of human emotion.
Released in 1959, “El Paso” transports listeners to the dusty streets of a West Texas town, where a love story unfolds amidst a backdrop of danger and regret. The song’s opening lines, “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso,” set the stage for a tale of star-crossed lovers, a cowboy and a Mexican maiden named Feleena.
Robbins’ storytelling prowess shines through as he narrates the cowboy’s infatuation with Feleena, their stolen moments amidst the lively cantina, and the growing tension that simmers beneath the surface. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where love and danger intertwine, where passion can lead to both joy and heartbreak.
The song takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of a “wild young cowboy,” a stranger who captures Feleena’s attention. In a fit of jealousy and anger, the protagonist challenges the stranger, a confrontation that ends in a tragic duel. The haunting line, “Just for a moment I stood there in silence,” captures the shock and remorse that grip the cowboy as he realizes the gravity of his actions.
“El Paso” is more than just a love story; it’s a meditation on the consequences of our actions and the power of redemption. The cowboy, haunted by his guilt, flees El Paso, seeking solace in the vast expanse of the desert. The lyrics, “Back in El Paso my life would be worthless,” reflect his realization that he can never escape the weight of his past.
Years pass, and the cowboy’s longing for Feleena draws him back to El Paso. Despite the danger, he returns, driven by an irresistible need for closure. He finds Feleena still at Rosa’s Cantina, and their reunion is filled with a mixture of love and regret.
The song’s climax arrives as the cowboy makes his final decision. He chooses to face his past, accepting the consequences of his actions. The final lines, “And at last here I am on the hill over overlooking El Paso,” convey a sense of acceptance and peace, as the cowboy prepares to meet his fate.
“El Paso” is a timeless classic, a song that has captivated listeners for generations. Its enduring popularity lies in its ability to capture the universal themes of love, loss, redemption, and the human desire for connection. Robbins’ masterful storytelling and poignant lyrics transport listeners to a bygone era, while the song’s emotional resonance remains as relevant today as ever.
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Lyrics: El PasoÂ
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 whirlBlacker 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
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Sixteen Tons – Tennessee Ernie Ford Your Cheatin’ Heart – Hank Williams, Sr.