El Paso (midi)

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1. Out in the West Texas town of El Paso ,

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I fell in love with a Mexican girl.

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Nighttime would find me in Rosie's Cantina,

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music would play and Felina would whirl.

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Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,

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wicked and evil while casting a spell.

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My love was strong for this Mexican maiden,

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I was in love, but in vain I could tell.

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One night a wild young cowboy came in,

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wild as the West Texas wind,

dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,

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with wicked Felina, the girl that I love. So in an - ger I

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2. challenged his right for the love of this maiden,

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down went his hand for the gun that he wore.

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My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat,

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the handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

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Just for a moment I stood there in silence,

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shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.

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Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there,

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I had but one chance and that was to run.

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Out through the back door of Rose's I ran,

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out where the horses were tied.

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I caught a good one, he looked like he could run,

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up on his back and away I did ride. Just as fast as I

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3. could from the West Texas town of El Paso,

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out through the badlands of New Mexico.

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Back in El Paso my life would be worthless,

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Everything's gone in life nothing is left.

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But it's been so long since I've seen the young maiden,

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my love is stronger that my fear of death.

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I saddled up and away I did go, riding alone in the dark.

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me,

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tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart.

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And as last here I

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4. am on the hill overlooking El Paso,

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I can see Rose's Cantina below.

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My love is strong and it pushes me onward,

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down off the hill to Felina I go.

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Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys,

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off to my left ride a dozen or more.

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Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me,

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I've got to make it to Rosie's back door.

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Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel

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a deep burning pain in my side.

It's getting harder to stay in the saddle,

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I'm getting weary, unable to ride. But my love for

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5. Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,

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Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest.

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I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle,

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I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

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From out of nowhere, Felina has found me,

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Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.

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Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,

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One little kiss and Felina, goodbye.

(Marty Robbins)