Song Title: El Paso
Players: J. Garcia, D. Godchaux, K. Godchaux, B. Kreutzmann, P. Lesh, B. Weir
Album: Steal Your Face / 10/16-20/74 San Francisco, CA
Live Show:
Time: 4:15
Buy this album from Grateful Dead Online Store

El Paso
Lyrics: Marty Robbins
Music: Marty Robbins
Published By: Belinda Music-Elvis Presley Music (BMI)

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Night time would find me in Rosie's cantina
Music would play and Felina would whirl


Black as the night were the eyes of Felina
Wicked and evil while casting a spell
My love is 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
His mission was daring and drink he was sharing
Wicked Felina the girl that I love


So in anger
I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
Dived with his hand for the gun that he wore
My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat
And that 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 Rosie's I ran
Out where the horses were tied
I picked me a dark one, it looked like it could run
Jumped on his back and away I did ride
Just as fast as I could


Up from the West Texas town of El Paso
Up through 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 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 will find me
Nothing is worse than the pain in this heart


And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso
I can see Rosie's cantina below
My love is strong and it pushes me onwards
Down off the hill to Felina I'll go


Off on my right I see five mounted cowboys
Off to my left ride a dozen or more
Shoutin' and shootin', I can't let them catch me
I've got to make it to Rosie'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
And though I'm weary I can't stop to rest
I see the white of the smoke from their rifles
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest


From out of nowhere, Felina has found me
Kisses my cheek as she kneels by my side
Cradled by two lovin' arms that I'll die for
One little kiss and Fellina goodbye