El Paso
tab Chords Lyrics
-------
Written and performed by Marty Robbinsnotated by Greg Vaughn gvaughn@olga.net& enhanced by Alan Arnell http://www.classicguitarexperience.com/
Note: 6/8 type of fast waltz tempo in D
Intro
e+------------------------------------------------------------
B+--------7--10--7------------------------10---12-------------
G+-----7------------7----------------9-12-----------12---9----
D+--7------------------------------9--------------------------
A+----------------------------9-10----------------------------
E+------------------------------------------------------------
e+-10-----10-10-10----9------7--7---5--3--2-------------------
B+-12-----12-12-12----10-----8--8---7--5--3-------------------
G+------------------------------------------------------------
D+------------------------------------------------------------
A+------------------------------------------------------------
E+------------------------------------------------------------
trem
e+--10-------------9----------9-------------------------------
B+--12-----12-12---10--10-----10------------------------------
G+---------------------11-----------7-------------------------
D+------------------------------------------------------------
A+------------------------------------------------------------
E+------------------------------------------------------------
The "trem" means tremulo picking, which is an alternating up and
down stroke realy fast like you hear a lot on mandolin. Technically
that is one beat of triplet 32nd notes. (that's 1 beat subdivided
into 12 parts!)
D Em
1. Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
A7 D
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Em
Nighttime would find me in Rose's Cantina,
A7 D
Music would play and Felina would whirl.
D Em
2. Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
A7 D
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
Em
My love was strong for this Mexican maiden,
A7 D
I was in love, but in vain I could tell.
Chorus 1
G D G
One night a wild young cowboy came in,
D D7
Wild as the West Texas wind...
D7
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,
D7 G
With wicked Felina, the girl that I love.
A7
So in an - ger
D Em
3. I challenged his right for the love of this maiden;
A7 D
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
Em
My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat
A7 D
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.
D Em
4. Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
A7 D
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
Em
Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there;
A7 D
I had but one chance and that was to run.
Chorus 2
G D G
Out through the back door of Rose's I ran,
D D7
Out where the horses were tied...
D7
I caught a good one; he looked like he could run,
D7
Up on his back and away I did ride.
A7
Just as fast as
D Em
5. I could from the West Texas town of El Paso,
A7 D
Out thru the badlands of New Mexico.
Em
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless;
A7 D
Everything's gone in life nothing is left.
D Em
6. But it's been so long since I've seen the young maiden,
A7 D
My love is stronger than my fear of death.
(Nothing's missing. It really is only half a verse.)
Chorus 3
G D G
I saddled up and away I did go,
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 as last here
D Em
7. I am on the hill overlooking El Paso,
A7 D
I can see Rose's Cantina below.
Em
My love is strong and it pushes me onward,
A7 D
Down off the hill to Felina I go.
D Em
8. Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys,
A7 D
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Em
Shouting and shooting; I can't let them catch me,
A7 D
I've got to make it to Rose's back door.
Chorus 4
G D G
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
D D7
A deep burning pain in my side...
D7
It's getting harder to stay in the saddle.
D7 G
I'm getting weary, unable to ride.
A7
But my love for
D Em
9. Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen;
A7 D
Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest.
Em
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle,
A7 D
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.
D Em
10.From out of nowhere, Felina has found me,
A7 D
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Em
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
A7 D
One little kiss and Felina goodbye.
I'd suggest playing A7 as (x02223). Alternate bass notes on beats one
and four throughout the verses. You might want to try Dadd9 (xx0230)
in place of the D in the first line of the chorus.
The Music Video
"El Paso" was originally recorded by Marty Robbins,
and first released on Gunfighter Ballads and
Trail Songs in September 1959...
It is the first song of the El Paso trilogy...
Marty Robbins
“El Paso” is Marty Robbins’ best known song of all time. There’s a story about it, including who the woman is that’s named in the song. The song is a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins. It was released in the fall of 1959.
It was a hit in both pop and country music. The song went number one on both charts in early 1960. The Spanish guitar accompaniment by Grady Martin gave the song a distinctive Western feel. Singing haunting harmonies were vocalists Bobby Sykes and Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers. Members of the Western Writers of America chose El Paso as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. And last but not least, the name of the character Faleena was based upon a schoolmate of Robbins in the fifth grade, Fidelina Martinez
(http://kxrb.com/story-behind-the-song-el-paso/)
Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and racing driver. One of the most popular and successful country and western singers of all time for most of his near four-decade career, Robbins often topped the country music charts, and several of his songs also had crossover success as pop hits.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins was reared in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children, but his drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a locale medicine man.Robbins left the troubled home at 17 to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
In addition to his recordings and performances, Robbins was an avid race car driver, competing in 35 career NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) races with six top-10 finishes,[8] including the 1973 Firecracker 400. In 1967, Robbins played himself in the car racing film Hell on Wheels.Robbins was partial to Dodges prepared by NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Cotton Owens, and owned and raced Chargers and then a 1978 Dodge Magnum. He was also the driver of the 60th Indianapolis 500 Buick Century pace car in 1976. His last race was in a Junior Johnson-built 1982 Buick Regal in the Atlanta Journal 500 on November 7, 1982, a month before his death. (wiki)
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---------------------------------------PLEASE NOTE----------------------------------------
This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the
song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.
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This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the
song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.
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