El Paso
John Denver Lyrics

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

I fell in love with a Mexican girl
The singer fell in love with a girl of Mexican descent.

Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina
The singer would spend his nights in Rosa's cantina.

Music would play and Felina would whirl
Felina would dance to the music played in Rosa's cantina.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina
Felina had very dark and intense eyes.

Wicked and evil while casting a spell
Despite her beauty, Felina had a dark and ominous quality about her.

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
The singer loved Felina deeply.

I was in love but in vain I could tell
The artist knew his love for Felina was unrequited.

One night a wild young cowboy came in
A young cowboy arrived at Rosa's cantina one night.

Wild as the West Texas wind
The cowboy was reckless and unpredictable.

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
The cowboy was charismatic and shared drinks with others.

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved
The cowboy was spending time with Felina.

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden
The singer was angry that the cowboy was spending time with Felina and challenged him.

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
The cowboy reached for his gun.

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat
The cowboy quickly responded to the singer's challenge.

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor
The cowboy was killed in the altercation.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence
The artist paused to reflect on what he had done.

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
The singer was shocked by his own actions.

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there
The singer had many thoughts and emotions after the shooting.

I had but one chance, and that was to run
The artist knew he had to flee the scene.

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran
The artist fled through the back door of Rosa's cantina.

Out where the horses were tied
The artist ran to where the horses were kept.

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
The singer found a fast and capable horse to ride.

Up on its back and away I did ride
The artist quickly mounted the horse and rode away.

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

Out to the badlands of New Mexico
The singer fled to the badlands of New Mexico.

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless
The singer felt that his life was over if he returned to El Paso.

Everything's gone in life, nothing is left
The artist felt that he had lost everything.

It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
The artist had not seen Felina in a long time.

My love is stronger than my fear of death
The singer loved Felina more than he feared for his own life.

I saddled up and away I did go
The singer prepared to leave again.

Riding alone in the dark
The artist rode alone at night.

Maybe tomorrow a bullet will find me
The artist feared that he might be killed the next day.

Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart
The artist's emotional pain was worse than any physical pain he might face.

I can see Rosa's cantina below
The singer could see Rosa's cantina in the distance.

My love is strong and it pushes me onward
The artist's love for Felina drove him forward.

Down off the hill to Felina I go
The singer rode down the hill toward Felina.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys
The singer noticed five cowboys riding toward him from the right.

Off to my left ride a dozen or more
The singer also saw a group of cowboys riding toward him from the left.

Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me
The cowboys were shouting and firing at the artist, who did not want to be caught.

I have to make it to Rosa's back door
The artist had to reach the back door of Rosa's cantina to escape.

Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel
The singer sensed that something was very wrong.

A deep burning pain in my side
The singer was shot and felt pain in his side.

I'm getting weary, unable to ride
The artist was growing tired and unable to keep riding.

But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen
Despite his injuries, the artist's love for Felina gave him the strength to keep going.

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
The artist saw the smoke from the rifle fired by one of the cowboys.

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest
The singer was struck by a fatal bullet.

From out of nowhere Felina has found me
Felina appeared suddenly and found the artist.

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
Felina kissed the singer's cheek as she knelt beside him.

Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for
The singer felt loved and comforted in Felina's embrace.

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye.
Felina gave the singer a final kiss before he died.