El Paso Chords & Tabs

by Marty Robbins

[Version Description]
Strumming Patterns:
Whole Song:
BPM: 210
Denominator: 8
Triplet: Yes
Measures: [1, 202, 202, 1, 202, 101, 1, 202, 101]
D                     Em             
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
A7                            D    
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
D                          Em             
Nighttime would find me in Rosa's Cantina,
A7                                 D     
Music would play and Feleena would whirl.
D                           Em              
Blacker than night were the eyes of Feleena,
A7                              D     
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
D                         Em             
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden,
A7                                 D    D7
I was in love, but in vain I could tell.
G                                     
One night a wild young cowboy came in,
G                      D  D7
Wild as the West Texas wind.
D7                                         
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,
     D7                              G    
With wicked Feleena, the girl that I love.
      A7   
So in anger
  D                            Em                  
I challenged his right for the love of this maiden;
A7                                     D    
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
   D                          Em                   
My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat
    A7                                      D     
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.
D                   Em                     
Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
A7                                  D    
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
D                              Em                    
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
A7                                   D   D7
I had but one chance and that was to run.
G                                         
Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
G                         D  D7
Out where the horses were tied.
D7                                               
I caught a good one; it looked like it could run,
D7                            G    
Up on its back and away I did ride.
        A7       
Just as fast as I
D                         Em              
could from the West Texas town of El Paso,
A7                             D  
Out to the badlands of New Mexico.
D                  Em                      
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless;
A7                                    D    
Everything's gone in life, nothing is left.
D                            Em                    
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden,
A7                                  D     D7
My love is stronger than my fear of death.
G                              
I saddled up and away I did go,
G                   D  D7
Riding alone in the dark.
D7                                  
Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me,
  D7                                         G     
Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart.
       A7       
And at last here
  D                  Em              
I am on the hill overlooking El Paso,
A7                         D   
I can see Rosa's Cantina below.
D                        Em               
My love is strong and it pushes me onward,
A7                             D  
Down off the hill to Feleena I go.
D                     Em                   
Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys,
A7                              D    
Off to my left ride a dozen and more.
D                        Em                      
Shouting and shooting; I can't let them catch me,
A7                               D    D7
I have to make it to Rosa's back door.
G                                       
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
  G                       D  D7
A deep burning pain in my side.
D7                                       
Though I am trying to stay in the saddle.
D7                           G    
I'm getting weary, unable to ride.
       A7      
But my love for
  D                     Em                     
Feleena is strong and I rise where I've fallen;
A7                                 D    
Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest.
D                       Em                   
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle,
A7                              D     
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.
D                      Em                 
From out of nowhere, Feleena has found me,
A7                                   D    
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
D                     Em                     
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
A7                              D   
One little kiss and Feleena goodbye.