"The song was written by Marty Robbins in a car as he and his family were passing through Texas on the way to Arizona. The song itself has been called a "vivid, western saga laden with drama, violence, and romance" (Kienzle 12). The source of Marty's passion for Western drama was his maternal grandfather, an ex-Texas Ranger and medicine show performer named "Texas" Bob Heckle. His tales of the Old West gave a youthful Marty an undying love for Western stories and music.
"The song as sung by Robbins runs four and a half minutes, a marathon compared to the shorter country ditties being given airplay at the time. Mitch Miller, Columbia's New York head of pop A&R, liked the song but turned it down on the basis of its length. When Marty recorded it with Grady Martin's beautiful Tex-Mex guitar embellishing his vocal, producer Don Law recognized its potential and had Columbia release a single to radio stations in October of 1959. The single had the long version on one side, and an edited version on the other. The long version was an overnight success, reaching No. 1 on both the country and pop charts...."
--Rich Kienzle, "The Essential Marty Robbins," Columbia Records, New York, 1991.
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Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Night-time would find me in Rosa's Cantina
Music would play and Felina would whirl
One night a wild young cowboy came in
Wild as the West Texas wind
Dancing and daring, a drink he was sharing
With wicked Falina, the girl that I loved
So in anger 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
Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran
Out where the horses were tied
I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
Up on its back and away I did ride
Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico
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 at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso
I can see Rosa's Cantina below
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 have to make it to Rosa's back door
Something is dreadfully wrong for I fear
A deep burning pain in my side
Though I am trying 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 goodbye
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