Country

El Paso Chords

Marty Robbins Beginner Key of D 5 Chords 4 min read

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Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.

Dmtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.

Dmtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.

Dmtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.

Dmtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.

Dmtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Dm · Am · C · F · G

Marty Robbins’ classic western ballad about a cowboy’s fatal love in the border town of El Paso. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Western Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a steady, moderate tempo to tell the story.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D G

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

D A

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

D G

Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina

D A D

Music would play and Felicina would whirl

Verse 2

D G

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina

D A

Wicked and evil while casting a spell

D G

My love was deep for this Mexican maiden

D A D

I was in love but in vain, I could tell

Verse 3

D G

One night a wild young cowboy came in

D A

Wild as the West Texas wind

D G

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing

D A D

With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved

Verse 4

D G

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden

D A

Down went his hand for the gun that he wore

D G

My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat

D A D

The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 5

D G

Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran

D A

Out where the horses were tied

D G

I caught a good one, it looked like it could run

D A D

Up on its back and away I did ride

Verse 6

D G

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of

D A

El Paso, out to the bad-lands of New Mexico

D G

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

D A D

Everything’s gone in life, nothing is left

Chorus

G D

Just for a moment I stood there in silence

A D

Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done

G D

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there

A D

I had but one chance and that was to run

Verse 7

D G

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

D A

My love is stronger than my fear of death

D G

I saddled up and away I did go

D A

Riding alone in the dark

Verse 8

D G

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

D A

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

D G

And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso

D A D

I can see Rosa’s cantina below

Verse 9

D G

My love is strong and it pushes me onward

D A

Down off the hill to Felina I go

D G

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys

D A D

Off to my left ride a dozen or more

Chorus

G D

Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me

A D

I have made my mind up to give all I’ve got to give

G D

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

A D

But tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

Verse 10

D G

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

D A

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

D G

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me

D A D

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side

Verse 11

D G

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for

D A

One little kiss, then Felina goodbye

Practice tip: Focus on the D to G and D to A transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Practice the story-telling rhythm slowly before speeding up.