Marty Robbins - El Paso (1959)

EL PASOis a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins, and first released on Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs in September 1959. It was released as a single the following month, and became a major hit on both the country and pop music charts, reaching #1 in both at the start of 1960. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961, and remains Robbins' best-known song. It is widely considered a genre classic for its gripping narrative, haunting harmonies by Tompall and the Glaser Brothers and the eloquent Spanish guitar accompaniment by Grady Martin that lends the recording a distinctive Tex-Mex feel. (Info from Wikipedia)--LYRICS--Out in the West Texas town of El PasoI fell in love with a Mexican girlNighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina Music would play and Felina would whirlBlacker than night were the eyes of FelinaWicked and evil while casting a spellMy love deep for this Mexican maidenI was in love, but in vain I could tellOne night a wild young cowboy came inWild as the West Texas windDashing and daring, a drink he was sharingWicked Felina the girl that I lovedSo in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maidenDown went his hand for the gun that he woreMy challenge was answered in less than a heartbeatThe handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor[THIS VERSE IS MISSING!!! (See NOTE #1 at the end)Just for a moment I stood there in silenceShocked by the foul evil deed I had doneMany thoughts raced through my mind as I stood thereI had but one chance, and that was to runOut through the back door of Rosa's I ranOut where the horses were tiedI caught a good one, it looked like it could runUp on its back and away I did rideJust as fast as I couldFrom the West Texas town of El PasoOut to the badlands of New MexicoBack in El Paso my life would be worthlessEverything's gone in life nothing is leftIt's been so long since I've seen the young maidenMy love is stronger than my fear of deathI saddled up and away I did goRiding alone in the darkMaybe tomorrow a bullet may find meTonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heartAnd at last here I am on the hill overlooking El PasoI can see Rosa's cantina belowMy love is strong and it pushes me onwardsDown off the hill to Felina I goOff to my right I see five mounted cowboysOff to my left ride a dozen and moreShouting and shooting, I can't let them catch meI have to make it to Rosa's back doorSomething is dreadfully wrong for I feelA deep burning pain in my sideThough I am trying stay in the saddleI'm getting weary, unable to rideBut my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallenThough I am weary I can't stop to restI see the white puff of smoke from the rifleI feel the bullet go deep in my chestFrom out of nowhere, Felina has found meKissing my cheek as she kneels by my sideCradled by two loving arms that I'll die forOne little kiss sent Fellina goodbye----------------------- ------------------------NOTE #1: It was not noticed that the verse, "Just for a moment I stood there in silence, shocked by the foul evil deed I had done...." was missing until after posting. Possible reasons it may be missing:1) Early radio censorship (1960) in certain regions of the US. (Blatant act of "evil" in a song = cut out the offending part of the song before broadcasting on the airwaves.)2) Some radio stations may have requested a shorter version of this, for the time, VERY long song to fit in another commercial sooner. In fact, many radio stations did initially complain about the length of the song. However, it turned into such a phenomenal hit, they had no choice but to play it.

Channel: Music
Uploaded: December 31, 1969 at 4:59 pm
Author: bmcneese45a

Length: 04:25
Rating: 4.91
Views: 320374

Tags: country  el  marty  music  paso  robbins  western  

Video Comments