El Paso Texas US: A Song Remembered 4 August 2019

251 mass shootings in 216 days in 2019.

Latest:

(1) 20 Killed, 24+ injured in a mass shooting @ El Paso City, Texas.

4 August 2019.

(2) 9 killed, 16 injured @ Dayton, Ohio. All within a day.

Ban the gun; it's not easy but there must be a start somewhere.

The violence never stops. 

We mourn for the citizens of El Paso Texas, Dayton, Ohio and the US.

This song stayed in my consciousness for months from end 1959 to early 1960. It had won many awards and considered to be Robbins' best song ever.  It was also a big hit in Singapore and was heard everywhere for ages. The song just seemed to go on and on. A ballad indeed, and a very good one.

When I heard the name El Paso on TV and saw the news, I felt the sadness for the people in the two cities and the rest... in the US of A.

Exactly 60 years later from 1959 to 2019, the ballad repeats itself. 

"Something is dreadfully wrong,
For I feel a deep burning pain in my side..."

El Paso 
composed and sung by Marty Robbins

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina
Music would play and Felina would whirl

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina
Wicked and evil while casting a spell
My love was deep 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 loved

El Paso today, considered the 2nd safest city in the US currently.

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

Upon its back and away I did ride

'El Paso' by Marty Robbins: Video by VA HOSS. Thank you.

Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico
Back in El Paso, my life would be worthless

Everything's gone, in life, nothing is left

It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger than 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 at 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 have to make it to Rosa's back door
Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel

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, then Felina good-bye...

Read this one too:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-knights-rule-day-with-guns-ablazing.html

Images: Google.