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

Black as the 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

One night a wild 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 love
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

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 Rosa's I ran
Out where the horses were tied
I picked a good one
He 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

But it's been so long since
I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger that my fear of death

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 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
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

Felina is strong
And I writhe 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

Overall Meaning

The song "El Paso" by the Grateful Dead is a narrative ballad that tells the story of a cowboy who falls in love with a Mexican girl named Felina in the West Texas town of El Paso. The singer frequents Rose's Cantina where he watches Felina dance, but she is also coveted by another cowboy who challenges the singer to a duel over her. The singer kills the man and is forced to flee El Paso to New Mexico. Despite his fear of death, he returns to El Paso to see Felina one last time before he is shot by one of the cowboys pursuing him. In the end, Felina finds him dying and kisses him goodbye.

The song's lyrics were written by Marty Robbins and were initially released in 1959. The Grateful Dead began performing "El Paso" in 1969, and it eventually became a staple of their live shows. The song was featured on the band's 1972 live album, "Europe '72," which was one of their most popular and critically acclaimed releases.

Line by Line Meaning

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl
I fell in love with a Mexican girl in El Paso.

Nighttime would find me in Rose's Cantina
I spent my nights at Rose's Cantina.

Music would play and Felina would whirl
Felina would dance to the music.

Black as the night were the eyes of Felina
Felina had eyes as black as night.

Wicked and evil while casting a spell
Felina was wicked and evil, and had me under her spell.

My love was strong for this Mexican maiden
I loved Felina deeply.

I was in love, but in vain I could tell
My love for Felina was unrequited.

One night a wild young cowboy came in, wild as the West Texas wind
A wild young cowboy came into Rose's Cantina.

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
He was a daring cowboy who shared drinks.

With wicked Felina, the girl that I love
He shared drinks with Felina.

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
I got angry and challenged him for Felina's love.

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
He went for his gun.

My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat
He accepted my challenge in an instant.

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor
I killed the cowboy.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence
I stood there in silence, shocked by what I had done.

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
I was shocked by how wicked my actions were.

Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there
I had many thoughts running through my head.

I had but one chance and that was to run
My only option was to run away.

Out through the back door of Rose's I ran, out where the horses were tied
I ran through the back door of Rose's where the horses were tied.

I picked a good one; he looked like he could run
I chose a horse that looked fast.

Up on his back and away I did ride
I rode off into the night.

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso
I rode away as fast as I could from El Paso.

Out through the badlands of New Mexico
I rode through the harsh badlands of New Mexico.

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless
My life would be worthless if I returned to El Paso.

Everything's gone in life nothing is left
I had lost everything.

But it's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
It had been a long time since I saw Felina.

My love is stronger that my fear of death
My love for Felina was stronger than my fear of death.

I saddled up and away I did go, riding alone in the dark
I rode off alone into the dark.

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me
I knew I could die at any moment.

Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart
My heart was aching badly that night.

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso
I finally reached a hill overlooking El Paso.

I can see Rose's Cantina below
I could see Rose's Cantina from the hill.

My love is strong and it pushes me onward, down off the hill to Felina I go
My love for Felina pushed me down the hill towards her.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys
I saw five cowboys on horseback to my right.

Off to my left ride a dozen or more
I saw more than a dozen cowboys on horseback to my left.

Shouting and shooting; I can't let them catch me
The cowboys were shouting and shooting, and I couldn't let them catch me.

I've got to make it to Rose's back door
I had to make it to the back door of Rose's Cantina.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel a deep burning pain in my side
I felt a deep burning pain in my side and knew something was wrong.

It's getting harder to stay in the saddle
I was finding it hard to stay on my horse.

I'm getting weary, unable to ride
I was feeling tired and couldn't ride any longer.

But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen
My love for Felina gave me the strength to rise and keep going.

Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest
I couldn't stop to rest even though I was exhausted.

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
I saw the white smoke from a rifle.

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest
I felt a bullet hit me in the chest.

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me
Felina found me unexpectedly.

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
She kissed my cheek as she knelt by my side.

Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
She held me tightly in her loving arms, and I was willing to die for her.

One little kiss and Felina good-bye
Her kiss was the last goodbye from Felina.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@chrism8269

4y↑10

I remember when I was a kid and showed my Grandpa this cover and he gave is approval of the Grateful Dead! It meant the world. He really liked all the songs off reckoning.
Bobby can really connect to these country songs.- his album blue mountain is a true country album. It’s great if y’all haven’t listened to it!!

@exit747steve1

12y↑8

16 20 yr old kids in 4 separate cars drive from El Paso to Vegas to see the Dead and they play a song just for us!!! great times fo sho!!! 4 nights @ the Luxor followed up by 4 nights of camping shenanigans on Lake Mead in the most remote, awesome area we couldve hoped for. we were on top of the world!

@Motormouth2112

33w

747 you wrench or drive ??

@stellabloo

16y↑45

This is one freakin loooong song ... to play AND sing through 10 verses - with chorus and superb improv - is a musical feat of talent and endurance. Now picture 90 minutes or more at this intensity - with an unscripted repetoire of 400+ songs (never played exactly the same way twice) - repeated 70-80 times a year for 30 years .... and you might get the remotest glimmer of why the Dead are the enduring figures of legend that they deserve to be ;)

@mrbobevans

4y↑3

Marty wrote some very long songs, such as "Pride and the Badge." He was notorious for playing long sets at the Opry after having driven in a car race. He is a national treasure whose music will live forever

@Frontmanfrg

2y↑2

@stellabloo. Well put. The Dead were awesome and I doubt we will ever see something as amazing as they were.

@walliegirl2

@Tim Scallon Marty Robbins is something so great that we may never witness again.

@danfuller478

1y↑3

For years Jerry didn't take a solo on El Paso. Towards the end he started again. He needs a little time to find it here, but when he does... it's there!

@zackt112

15y↑9

i was two months old when this concert took place. sadly never got to see jerry.live but i did see get to see the dead this year =]. peace zack

@Burghound56

10y↑3

This may be the most beautiful version I have heard. Very distinctive and elegant.

@mrbobevans

I am as big a Marty fan as you can get. In terms of singer songwriter, he surpasses Lennon or McCartney. But this version may be the best.

@tna4lyfe158

21w

well said

@valeriecurtis8361

8y↑57

When you read the lyrics of Marty's songs you realize how brilliant he was. He is every bit Dylan's equal - a poet and a storyteller. I can't think of too many songwriters who can do both.

@jeffshillcutt6818

7y↑6

Valerie Curtis Also, a better singing voice than BD

@jamiewesson898

6y↑1

tom t hall he is t h e storyteller only townes van zandt and mickey newbury compare

@mrbobevans

6y↑5

Marty Robbins was a musical genius.

@MrJayra210

5y↑2

The only song/story tellers who compare for me are Jim Croce and Harry Chapin.

@choctawironfist8634

5y↑2

I would venture to say Dylan is close to Mr. Robbins,doubtfully equal....please see above in regards,to opinions...I will heed my very advice.

12 More Replies...

@jessegreer8242

9y↑13

My grandfather, "Papa" to me, used to play the Marty Robbins version of this on the 8 track in his Chevy Nova every morning when he took me to school. I think I'm gonna learn this to play for "Nanny". Papa died right after Jerry. 95 was a hard year.

@jaxtraw51

9y↑5

+Jesse Greer I'm a grandpa,Nano to my grandson, On nights when he was a baby and couldn't go to sleep...I would put him in his stroller,walk around the neighborhood and sing "Ripple" to put him asleep.My wife,our friends thought I was crazy but I hope my Nate remembers me like you remember "Papa". Take care, Jack

@Sylla-Cybin

5y↑1

My mom's father, "Papa" to me played Marty all the time as well. your comment hit me hard because my "Nanny"'s death really changed our whole family and I found Dead but didn't find out that Bob and Jerry had a thing for Marty and that they played these songs until years afterwards. Tears came my first time hearing these covers because it was like a synapse of emotional worlds coming together for me. I hope you have had some good progress over the years. peace

@kopingkiller

10y↑9

Saw them in 94 in Chicago. Way too many mushrooms that day but its a day that i will never forget.

@matttrophy1

31w

It’s been so long since I heard this. Old, good memories.

@kathrynmasquerade

8y↑17

Bobby looks like a superhero with the wind in his hair!

@bechtel35

kathrynmasquerade look at him nowadays. None of us are getting younger!!

@persiphonehellecat

He hates heat. Hence the short shorts. They always had a fan blowing, too.

@billperron2

El Jerry and his leche commercial....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KnaKjwiT3A

@suckoful

11y↑7

Just beautiful, Jerry in rare form for the 90s, when he and Vince interlace that melody on the solo it's sublime. Also Bobby's seriousness is touching . Thanks for sharing this.

@greenplanet2400

13y↑3

The Grateful Dead are so true to the idea of "music for the people." They wrote great songs, they covered great songs, etc. I like how they treated songs as sounds for us all. They didn't worry about things like "oh, that's a just a cover." If they dug a song, they did it. If they wrote it, that's cool. If not, no problem. It's all music! That's the spirit!!!

@mrbobevans

8y↑5

After all the years that have passed since his death, Marty Robbins is still is a legend!!!! There is surely "A little spot of Heaven" reserved for Jerry and Marty. And of course, Marty's lovely wife Marizona,

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑2

Nothing is worse then this pain in my heart !

@neanderpaul14

14y↑1

GOD I so miss seeing the Dead in summer tours. The day Jerry died is stuck in my mind. I know right where I was.

@mrbobevans

15y↑1

Marty Robbins is a legend...In the afternoon, he was Nascar driver then later that night he was a Country and Western star. Never will be another one like him.

@joshuapriestley5307

Here at 45 I can't unhear an older friend a laborer on a project telling me that the dead did this song my papaw's favorite I was 22

@Jason1717171717

2y↑1

Amazing performance !!!

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

Everithing s gone in life nothing is left !

@tonytucson

15y↑1

Man.. That's beautiful!

@mrbobevans

15y↑1

MARTY ROBBINS ROCK. He will never be forgotten. That youtube video of Hag imitating Marty is hilarious.

@Mr-Foad

15y↑1

this song is curing my hangover its great

@Cabinator

16y↑1

Jerry and Bobby do this # the best it's ever been done

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

I feel deep burning pain in my side !

@ciudaddeplata

17y

Thank you for the memories Check Bobby's Guatemalan shorts... I miss you guys so many good times from Buckeye Ohio to California... So long what a trip

@mddeadfan

11y

thanks for posting! attended this concert, Washington,DC stop for the dead. they were on big time that night! wont forget that show.

@Baculus

16y↑1

Hey! I was at this show!

@ukgolfa

17y↑1

This is one of the greatest 'story' songs of all time; was in a heavy-metal bar one time and everyone joined in on this one. Any of you Deadheads have 'Throwing Stones' on vid? Just 're-discovered it from 'In The Dark', and my 18 year old and I think it's one of the best 'Dead songs ever. Thanks for the upload.

@gibby6904

I still remember I had just picked up Without a Net on cd and went home and put it on when the news came on that Jerry had died.......

@mrbobevans

12y

Marty, you will never be forgotten!!!!

@mrbobevans

5y↑1

Love all of Marty's western songs, but "Pride and the Badge" is my favorite western song that he wrote..

@afjeff56

13y↑1

Long Live the Grateful Dead!!! Awesome El Paso... Happy Thanksgiving!!!

@horwitch

14y

Jerry Garcia......the best there ever was......... R.I.P. Jerry, we miss and love you!

@aoxomoxoa88

16y↑1

I love The Grateful Dead!

@paulkneissler273

9y↑1

They did a great job on the w-c songs

@kenny7245

12y

wooooooooow thats one hell of guitar player thanks for uploading this

@vickiecook6953

I was at this show.my 2nd.feel in love.miss you jerry.love you bon

@67insideout

14y

Such a great story that is told in this song.... Reminds me of texas back in the 50s.

@sethie_shots

Great post 👌🏽

@induskreed

10y↑2

I think their strength lay in their unique ability to complement each other. Weir admits to it in one of his post-Garcia interviews. That helps work out a perfect sync and I think also the reason anyone who listens to the Dead are hooked for life.

@mrbobevans

I am hooked on Marty Robbins for life - such an amazing singer and songwriter.

@ch267391

damn..that was refreshing

@tre3961

MY FAV

@YoScooby

17y

I love this song. My 6th grade class, Mr. Primack, Santa Anita, was a really good teacher. For music class he would have 4 or 5 of us go to the front of the class and sing a verse from different songs. El Paso was one of them, along with other folk songs like "If I had a hammer", etc. When I had to sing I would put the music book in front of my face and mumble in a barely audible whisper. Real jackass.

@capone609

17y

best times of my life

@neanderpaul14

13y

Wow I miss going to Dead Shows........it was like a weeks vacation in one night.

@mattmurphy24

Like the instrumentals!

@TJH3123

18y

Awesome. I miss them.

@grannygear

13y

Love Bobby's shorts!

@pigletized

15y

So Awsome!!!!!!

@SteamDougy

10y

Killer version! Thanks for posting this... :D :D :D

@xxvortex1

11y↑1

Show date wrong. Appears to be from 1995. Set list: Venue Sam Boyd Silver Bowl Location Las Vegas, NV Date 6/24/94 - Friday posters tickets, passes & laminates One Good Times ; Feel Like A Stranger ; Althea ; The Same Thing ; Broken Arrow ; Cumberland Blues ; Eternity ; Don't Ease Me In Two Iko Iko ; Samba In The Rain ; Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Drums > Space > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > I Need A Miracle > Standing On The Moon Encore Johnny B. Goode

@deadheadwannabe6874

My first dead show..

@fmv6767

12y↑3

Classic Marty Robbins tune!

@jamesdowd7452

9y↑2

Aww, let's not quibble over the "Finest Band in the Land's" choices, lest we forget the Roots, right back to New Riders, et al. A classic number, I like it electric with Jerry Mixing it up with Bobby, double lead, Mexicali style. The dead covered everything from Cowboy to Elvis to Motown. It's all good.

@obiwil

16y

This is the song that ties the 1860's America to 1960's America. Hope 2060's America likes it.

@carrieberry8846

Love it!

@deadheadwannabe6874

I was there

@eventtrading

my fave

@kingofgames7001

Johnny and Marty were great friends. Check out the youtube videos of them performing together. Dean Martin ("My Woman, My Woman, My Wife"), Elvis Presley ("You Gave Me A Mountain") and the Grateful Dead ("El Paso") recorded Marty's songs.

@kevender04

14y

very true,,,,many old western writers,,,

@musicbelongs2theworld

11y

I play this song for my niece (She"s 4 & loves it!), but she says "Unky Nate, play that ONE!" then sings along with it & knows the 1st verse & chorus. Pretty damn cute! Her parents don't listen to the GD either. haha! :P

@southfloridawild

Used to love this song - and this version. But thanks to Youtube, can now listen to the original version by Marty Robbins. Must have not been in my right mind when I heard the Dead do this. As a matter of fact I wasn't.

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

I had just one chance snd that was to ride !!!!

@Turgorful

14y

I've always thought, that at some level, the boys worked their chops up on this tune just so they could all harmonize on "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED" ;-)

@jafro970

17y↑2

the Dead started the whoel jam thing, plus they have hundreds of others songs, and they did the acid test; check out the playboy after dark special with them as guests on youtube

@AirSandFire

10y↑1

@bpar73 You're wrong this version is sublime. Jerry's vocals perhaps a bit weak but his playing is transcendentally beautiful.

@Moishe230

the fact that bobby's currently more jacked 25 years later has me questioning my existence

@MrMushrooms420

13y↑1

Damn bob.nicee.

@caerphillykid

14y

This is a very creditable version of the Paso. Marty should be honoured. Those Good ol Boys who can't get with the programme should stay in Muscogee.

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

For meeeee !

@jakefranchino

15y

i wish bobby always busted out the acoustic for songs like this ... i dont think he started doin this until 93 or 94.....sounds great!

@Cabinator

16y

great acid song!

@joedimaggio8076

this is why the dead rock, never forget there American roots!!!

@englitguy7076

8y↑3

boys alway did this song proud.... the feel is very much as robbins intended, and Bobby always loved this music. his new album is reminiscent of this style of western music...and you can't beat Jerry in SHORTS

@mrbobevans

Marty Robbins > Bob Dylan, and I like Bob's music. Marty is the man. Only his friend Buddy could have compared.

@nippegmt

Happy Birthday to Bob

@fowlerham

14y

Perfect!

@rompemonster

17y

thanks for uploading. this concert must have been awesome (see the peggy-o clip here on youtube by the same tuber). rosebud (jerry's guitar) is a beauty -is it up for sales???

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

With wicked Felina thd girl that i love !!!!!!

@eventtrading

Can't imagine this band if Pig Pen had lived. To the far ends of the Uni

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

Eyes of my Felina where black as the night !

@tomheuchan1234

12y

Bill always looks like he's about to fall asleep! haha

@UGot2Rollme

18y

such a cool song. Thanks. where was this performance, by the way?

@Ma-yb9zt

2y↑1

Felina goodbye !!!

@boomac62

17y

marty would have been pleased, i know the tempo is way faster here but it still works...in a way the tempo just moves the story along. peace

@kristinawashington1773

Sweet. Thanks. :)

@mrbobevans

7y↑1

Great job by the Grateful Dead of a Marty Robbins' classic.

@KlondikeG

12y↑2

I LOVE the back up vocals. Jerry is Angelic. 1:58 "Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel....." Then how Jerry rolls his notes till 2:14. The Chillz!!!

@mase4t4

17y

Life would be meaningless without the dead. Nice post.

@RadioactiveSpaceman

9y↑3

this is the most heavenly el paso <3

@vickiecook6953

I was there..

@bthornRPL

13y

@papaskip @papaskip The Jerry "moments" are a bit objective, I think, but here are a couple I think many of us I would agree on: Peggy O, generally but especially the solo starting at 1:45 watch?v=AX9Vhv4akxc&feature=related Birdsong, solo starting at about 3 minutes watch?v=OYA16z2-xFg&feature=related Keep in mind, Jerry's style is very different from guys like you mention that I'd say 'shred,' highly technical. Jerry's style was generally much more subtle and chill.

@penningtonant

12y

@Ammobarer Hey, I've not purchased any Marty stuff. I believe music that has lasted (and especially remained & even gained popularity over time) is a trait of good music; music that does not suck. It is safe to say that these days, Marty is pretty much unheard of. I like him, but man, all all all to many people know the Dead. I mean, only thousands of people followed them year round for thirty years, right? More like STILL because of Furthur and the Other Ones.

@mrbobevans

Tell that to Pete Townshend. He is in awe of Marty, as was Johnny and Merle.

@mrbobevans

Marty is a freaking legend. He was voted the Country musician for the 60's decade. Youtube Keith Urban paying tribute to Marty.

@RELNY77

There has been a painting of Jerry playing hair being blown back in the night... I see it all the place for sale,,,, this is the concert from that painting. ANYONE HAVE ONE FOR SALE ????

@Cabinator

16y

The greateful dead perform this # better than any other band in history. If not, then who? I am aware that it a cover but there's no one I'd rather hear do the tune other than the Dead. I saw probably 12 or so El-Paso's in my "career".