| El Paso |
| ------- |
| Written and performed by Marty Robbins |
| notated by Greg Vaughn gvaughn@olga.net |
| 6/8 type of fast waltz tempo in D |
| 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. |
| 2. Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina, |
| Wicked and evil while casting a spell. |
| My love was strong for this Mexican maiden, |
| I was in love, but in vain I could tell. |
| 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 |
| 3. 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. |
| 4. Just for a moment I stood there in silence, |
| Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done. |
| Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there; |
| I had but one chance and that was to run. |
| Out through the back door of Rose’s I ran, |
| Out where the horses were tied... |
| I caught a good one; he looked like he could run, |
| Up on his back and away I did ride. |
| Just as fast as |
| 5. I could from the West Texas town of El Paso, |
| Out thru the badlands of New Mexico. |
| Back in El Paso my life would be worthless; |
| Everything’s gone in life nothing is left. |
| 6. But it’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden, |
| My love is stronger that my fear of death. |
| (Nothing’s missing. It really is only half a verse.) |
| I saddled up and away I did go, |
| Riding alone in the dark... |
| Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me, |
| Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart. |
| And as last here |
| 7. I am on the hill overlooking El Paso, |
| I can see Rose’s Cantina below. |
| My love is strong and it pushes me onward, |
| Down off the hill to Felina I go. |
| 8. 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’ve got to make it to Rose’s back door. |
| Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel |
| A deep burning pain in my side... |
| It’s getting harder to stay in the saddle. |
| I’m getting weary, unable to ride. |
| But my love for |
| 9. 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. |
| 10.From out of nowhere, Felina has found me, |
| Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side. |
| Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for, |
| 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. |
| Source: http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/m/marty_robbins/el_paso_tab.htm |