El Paso

by Grateful Dead

From the album: Sunshine Daydream: Veneta, Oregon, August 27, 1972

Track 17 of 30 on Sunshine Daydream: Veneta, Oregon, August 27, 1972 (2013).

Duration: 5:04

Sunshine Daydream: Veneta, Oregon, August 27, 1972 cover art

Lyrics for El Paso

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl Nighttime would find me at Rosa's Cantina Music would play and Felina would whirl Black as the night were the eyes of Felina Wicked and evil while casting a spell My love was strong for this Mexiacn maiden I was in love, but in vain, I could tell One night a wily 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 loved So in anger I challenged his right for the heart of the 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 at 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 picked a good one, it looked like he could run Up on his back and away I did ride Just as fast as I Could from the west Texas town of El Paso Out through the Badlands 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 may find me But anything's worth this pain in my heart Now 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've got to make it to Rosa's back door Suddenly something is 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 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 Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for One little kiss and Felina Good Bye

Listen On

More from Sunshine Daydream: Veneta, Oregon, August 27, 1972

  1. Introduction
  2. Promised Land
  3. Sugaree
  4. Me And My Uncle
  5. Deal
  6. Black-Throated Wind
  7. China Cat Sunflower >
  8. I Know You Rider
  9. Mexicali Blues
  10. Bertha
  11. Playing In The Band
  12. He's Gone
  13. Jack Straw
  14. Bird Song
  15. Greatest Story Ever Told
  16. Dark Star >
  17. El Paso
  18. Sing Me Back Home
  19. Sugar Magnolia
  20. Casey Jones
  21. One More Saturday Night
  22. Promised Land
  23. China Cat Sunflower
  24. I Know You Rider
  25. Jack Straw
  26. Bird Song
  27. Dark Star >
  28. El Paso
  29. Sing Me Back Home
  30. Greatest Story Ever Told