El Paso
Marty Robbins
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 whirl.
Blacker 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 love.
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 I 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 bad lands 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 will 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
Kissin my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for
One little kiss then Felina goodbye.
 El Paso
Marty Robbins

Out _____ the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Nighttime would find me _____ Rosa’s Cantina,
Music would play and Felina would whirl.
Blacker than night were the eyes _____ Felina,
wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep _____ this Mexican maiden,
I was in love, but _____ vain I could tell.
Maybe tomorrow a bullet will find me.
Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain _____ my
heart.
And _____ 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 _____ Felina I go.

One night a wild young cowboy came _____, Off _____ my right I see five mounted cowboys,
Wild as the West Texas wind. Off _____ my left ride a dozen or more.
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing, ____ Shouting and shooting; I can’t let them catch me
wicked Felina, the girl that I love. I have to make it _____ Rosa’s back door.

So ____ anger I challenged his right for the love
_____ this maiden;
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered, _____ less than a
heartbeat;
The handsome young stranger lay dead _____ the
floor.
Just for a moment I stood there _____ silence;
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
Many thoughts raced ______ my mind as I stood
there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.
Out through the back door _____ Rosa’s I ran;
_____ where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one; it looked like I could run;
Up on its back and away I did ride.
Just as fast as I could _____ the West Texas town
of El Paso.
Something is dreadfully wrong _____ I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying to stay _____ the saddle.
I’m getting weary, unable to ride.
But my love _____ 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 _____ the rifle
I feel the bullet go deep _____ my chest.
From ______ of nowhere, Felina has found me
Kissin my cheek as she kneels _____ my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die _____
One little kiss then Felina goodbye.

Out to the bad lands of New Mexico.

Back _____ 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 _____ death.

I saddled _____ and away I did go;

Riding alone in the dark.
Vocabulary Work

1. ___________________ = turn around in circle.

2. ___________________ = bad
3. ___________________ = morally bad, cruel, or very unpleasant
4. ___________________ = to use words thought to be magic, especially in order to have an
effect on someone
5. ___________________ = young woman
6. ___________________ = unsuccessfully or uselessly
7. ___________________ = move quickly
8. ___________________ = refuse to accept
9. ___________________ = having the emotional or physical reaction to a sudden, unexpected
and usually unpleasant event or experience
10. ___________________ = extremely unpleasant
11. ___________________ = action
12. ___________________ = a seat, often made of leather, used on a horse, bicycle, motorcycle,
etc.
13. ___________________ = put a saddle on a horse
14. ___________________ = a small, metal object that is shot from a gun
15. ___________________ = ride a horse (soldiers)
16. ___________________ = badly
17. ___________________ = very tired
18. ___________________ = small amount
19. ___________________ = hold something or someone gently, especially by supporting with the
arms
Answer Key:
Vocabulary Work

20. Whirl (v) = turn around in circle.

21. Wicked (adj) = bad
22. Evil (adj) = morally bad, cruel, or very unpleasant
23. Cast a spell = to use words thought to be magic, especially in order to have an effect on
someone
24. Maiden (n) = young woman
25. In vain = unsuccessfully or uselessly
26. Dash (v) = move quickly
27. Challenge (v) = refuse to accept
28. Shocked (adj) = having the emotional or physical reaction to a sudden, unexpected and usually
unpleasant event or experience
29. Foul (adj) = extremely unpleasant
30. Deed (n) = action
31. Saddle (n) = a seat, often made of leather, used on a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.
(v) = put a saddle on a horse
32. Bullet (n) = a small, metal object that is shot from a gun
33. Mount (v) = ride a horse (soldiers)
34. Dreadfully (adv) = badly
35. Weary (adj) = very tired
36. Puff (n) = small amount
37. Cradle (v) = hold something or someone gently, especially by supporting with the arms