El Paso chords by Tom Russell

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)

Intro:
C  Dm  G   C

Verse:
                      Dm
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
G                             C
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
                            Dm
Night time would find me in Rose's Cantina
G                                 C
Music would play and Felina would whirl

Verse:
                            Dm
Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina
G                               C
Wicked and evil while casting a spell
                          Dm
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
G                                  C     C7
I was in love, but in vain I could tell

Verse:
F                      Bb          F
One night a wild young cowboy came in
                       C7
Wild as the West Texas wind
C
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
                                    F
With wicked Felina, the girl that I love
      G
So in anger

Verse:
  C                            Dm
I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
G                                      C
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
                              Dm
My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat
    G                                       C
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Verse:
                    Dm
Just for a moment I stood there in silence
G                                   C
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
                               Dm
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there
G                                    C     C7
I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse:
F                            Bb        F
Out through the back door of Rose's I ran
                          C7
Out where the horses were tied
C
I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
                              F
Up on its back and away I did ride
        G
Just as fast as I

Verse:
C                         Dm
Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
G                              C
Out to the badlands of New Mexico
                   Dm
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless
G                                     C
Everything's gone in life, nothing is left
                             Dm
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
G                                   C
My love is stronger than my fear of death

Verse:
F                 Bb        F
I saddled up and away I did go
                     C7
Riding alone in the dark
C
Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me
                                             F
Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart
        G
And at last here

Verse:
  C                  Dm
I am on the hill overlooking El Paso
G                          C
I can see Rose's Cantina below
                         Dm
My love is strong and it pushes me onward
G                             C
Down off the hill to Felina I go

Verse:
                      Dm
Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys
G                     C
Off to my left ride a dozen or more
                         Dm
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me
G                                C
I have to make it to Rose's back door

Verse:
F                       Bb          F
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
                          C7
A deep burning pain in my side
C
Though I am trying to stay in the saddle
                             F
I'm getting weary, unable to ride
       G
But my love for

Verse:
  C                     Dm
Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen
G                                  C
Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest
                        Dm
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
G                               C
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

Verse:
                       Dm
From out of nowhere, Felina has found me
G                                    C
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
                      Dm
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
G                              C
One little kiss and Felina goodbye