^DOut in the West Texas ^Emtown of El Paso ^A7I fell in love with a Mexican ^Dgirl. Nighttime would find me in ^EmRose's Cantina, ^A7Music would play and Felina would ^Dwhirl.

^DBlacker than night were the ^Emeyes of Felina, ^A7Wicked and evil while casting a ^Dspell. My love was deep for this ^EmMexican maiden, ^A7I was in love, but in vain I could ^Dtell.

^GOne night a wild young ^Dcowboy came ^Gin, Wild as the ^DWest Texas ^D7wind. ^D7Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing, ^D7With wicked Felina, the girl that I ^Glove. So in ^A7anger

^DI challenged his right for the ^Emlove of this maiden; ^A7Down went his hand for the gun that he ^Dwore. My challenge was answered, in ^Emless than a heartbeat ^A7The handsome young stranger lay dead on the ^Dfloor.

^DJust for a moment I ^Emstood there in silence, ^A7Shocked by the foul evil deed I had ^Ddone. Many thoughts ran through my ^Emmind as I stood there; ^A7I had but one chance and that was to ^Drun.

^GOut through the back door of ^DRose's I r^Gan, Out where the ^Dhorses were ^D7tied. ^D7I caught a good one; it looked like it could run, ^D7Up on its back and away I did ^Gride. Just as ^A7fast as

^DI could from the West Texas ^Emtown of El Paso, ^A7Out to the badlands of New Mexi^Dco. Back in El Paso my ^Emlife would be worthless; ^A7Everything's gone in life nothing is ^Dleft.

^DIt's been so long since I've ^Emseen the young maiden, ^A7My love is stronger that my fear of ^Ddeath.

^GI saddled up and aw^Day I did ^Ggo, Riding al^Done in the ^D7dark. ^D7Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me, ^D7Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my ^Gheart. And as l^A7ast here

I ^Dam on the hill over^Emlooking El Paso, ^A7I can see Rose's Cantina be^Dlow. My love is strong and it ^Empushes me onward, ^A7Down off the hill to Felina I ^Dgo.

^DOff to my right I see ^Emfive mounted cowboys, ^A7Off to my left ride a ^Ddozen and more. Shouting and shooting; I ^Emcan't let them catch me, ^A7I have to make it to Rose's back d^Door.

^GSomething is dreadfully ^Dwrong for I ^Gfeel A ^Ddeep burning ^D7pain in my side. ^D7Though I am trying to stay in the saddle. ^D7I'm getting weary, unable to ^Gride. But my ^A7love for

^DFelina is strong and I ^Emrise where I've fallen; ^A7Though I am weary, I can't stop to ^Drest. I see the white puff of ^Emsmoke from the rifle, ^A7I feel the bullet go deep in my ^Dchest.

^DFrom out of nowhere, Fel^Emina has found me, ^A7Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my ^Dside. Cradled by two loving ^Emarms that I'll die for, ^A7One little kiss and Felina good^Dbye.

Mtburr (mtburr@gmail.com) adapted this tab from the excellent version by Greg Vaughn (gvaughn@olga.net). This adaptation corrects a few of the lyrics, but more importantly it strips out the tab intro and inserts the chords for all lines, so (hopefully) UG's active chords will work for transposition. (Marty Robbins's voice is pretty high and tough for basses and baritones to follow.) Here's Greg's note from the original below; it's a good suggestion. 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.

Marty Robbins - El paso