# old songs-revisted-El paso **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635 "2019-09-22T01:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/21 "2019-09-24T11:50:55Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I only know this song because of it’s excellent usage in the _Breaking Bad_ finale. And, of course, “finale” is an anagram of “Felina”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/22 "2019-09-24T12:47:25Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Remember the sequel song “El Paso City” [El Paso City - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Paso_City) which features the possibility of reincarnation? And now I see that someone mentioned it above me. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/23 "2019-09-24T14:43:18Z")
> [@txtumbleweed](#): > > Learned something new tonight, it is not Felina, but rather Feleena. Named after a girl the Robbins went to high school with. Just learned that on the Ken Burns series. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/24 "2019-10-13T01:12:31Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I don’t know how you get stalker out of the lyrics. He himself said he knew his love was in vain. Then when he saw her happily interacting with another dude called her wicked, then shot the dude. Stalker 101. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/25 "2019-10-13T02:30:55Z")
Ah, that wild young cowboy was just a pretty boy. The narrator could tell he wasn’t good enough for Feleena. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/26 "2019-10-13T03:10:55Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > He himself said he knew his love was in vain. Then when he saw her happily interacting with another dude called her wicked, then shot the dude. Stalker 101. He challenged his rival. The other guy went for his gun first. > [@](#): > > 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 heart-beat; > The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor. Arguably self defense. He was guilty of unjustified possessiveness, but not murder. Certainly not a stalker, since Felina did care for him, but she was fickle. As described above, she held him as he died. > [@](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/27 "2019-10-13T03:42:18Z")
Marty Robbins used to own a restaurant named Rose’s Cantina in Smyrna, TN ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/28 "2019-10-13T04:07:12Z")
I adapted this song and made a rap version (different lyrics, but had some samples) that would have been _perfect_ for Kid Rock. Never sent it to him. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/29 "2019-10-13T05:33:44Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > certainly not a stalker, since Felina did care for him, but she was fickle. As described above, she held him as he died. Where the hell does certainly come from? his dying delusions are of her coming “from out of nowhere” to find him? bullshit, she was hiding , while his oxygen deprived brain made up a story. Felina’s kiss was probably a vulture eating his soft tissue, after the posse made sure he was going to die. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/30 "2019-10-13T05:37:02Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Where the hell does certainly come from? his dying delusions are of her coming “from out of nowhere” to find him? bullshit, she was hiding , while his oxygen deprived brain made up a story. Talk about making stuff up. Your interpretation is not supported by the lyrics, which is all we really have to go on. You can imagine any scenario you like, but that has more to do with your imagination than what is described in the song. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/31 "2019-10-13T05:43:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Talk about making stuff up. Your interpretation is not supported by the lyrics, which is all we really have to go on. > > You can imagine any scenario you like, but that has more to do with your imagination than what is described in the song. And you completely ignore the lyrics about “wicked” the lyrics say he was handsome, dashing and daring, and “sharing” a drink. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/32 "2019-10-13T05:48:50Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > And you completely ignore the lyrics about “wicked” I’m not saying the guy is blameless, just that the narrator is not the stalker/murderer you imagine (and I use the word advisedly) him to be. Like I said, he is overly possessive, but Felina does care for him, and his rival went for his gun first. And he immediately repents of his rash act. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/33 "2019-10-13T06:01:38Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I’m not saying the guy is blameless, just that the narrator is not the stalker/murderer you imagine (and I use the word advisedly) him to be. Like I said, he is overly possessive, but Felina does care for him, and his rival went for his gun first. And he immediately repents of his rash act. And what are the odds that if a defendant made a statement in court that he had “stood there in silence, shocked by the foul evil deed I have done” you would think ohh it was love, therefore not cold blooded murder. Bullshit! . ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/34 "2019-10-13T06:11:18Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > And what are the odds that if a defendant made a statement in court that he had “stood there in silence, shocked by the foul evil deed I have done” you would think ohh it was love, therefore not cold blooded murder. Bullshit! > . If the rival drew first, it wasn’t murder (and especially not “cold-blooded” murder). I suspect in a legitimate court of law he would be acquitted on the basis of self-defense. At worst, he might be convicted of voluntary manslaughter. In the song, he was illegally murdered by the friends of the man he killed. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/35 "2019-10-13T06:17:13Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > If the rival drew first, There is no evidence that the handsome young rival drew at all. You are the one creating stories now. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/36 "2019-10-13T06:25:53Z")
The narrator is certainly not a stalker, Feleena (From El Paso) reveals: > [@](#): > > And in a day or so, wherever folks would go > They’d see this young cowboy, showin’ Feelena the town > > Six weeks he went with her, each minute spent with her > But he was insanely jealous of glances she’d give And her love for him was so great that, on finding him dying, she took his gun: > [@](#): > > And screamin’ in anger and placin’ the gun to her breast > Bury us both deep and maybe we’ll find peace > And pullin’ the trigger, she fell 'cross the dead cowboy’s chest ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/37 "2019-10-13T14:13:56Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > And you completely ignore the lyrics about “wicked” > > the lyrics say he was handsome, dashing and daring, and “sharing” a drink. 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 heart-beat; The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.Sounds pretty cut and dried to me. Certainly more so than a vulture pecking on the narrator’s lips. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/38 "2019-10-13T15:19:14Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > There is no evidence that the handsome young rival drew at all. You are the one creating stories now. You’re really invested in this, against all logic. Did Marty Robbins kill your dog or something. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/39 "2019-10-13T15:28:13Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > There is no evidence that the handsome young rival drew at all. You are the one creating stories now. Nitpicking like this just shows you don’t have a case. The lyrics say he went to draw his gun, which would be enough to justify self defense. There is also no evidence that the narrator challenged his rival to a gun duel. He could have confronted him verbally, and the rival escalated. Whatever the challenge was, the the rival seems to have freely accepted it, and didn’t try to defuse the situation. No one in the song is really blameless. The narrator is a jealous hot-head. But the rival is a hot-head too, in going for his gun first. As for Feleena, from _Feleena (from El Paso)_: > [@](#): > > she went to Sante Fe > And in the year that she stayed there, she learned about life > In just a little while, she learned that with a smile > She could have pretty clothes, she could be any man’s wife; > Rich men romanced her, they dined and they danced her > She understood men and she treated them all just the same > [@](#): > > Dancin’ and laughter, was what she was after > And Rosa’s Cantina had lights, with love in the gleam > That’s what she hunted and that’s what she wanted > Rosa’s was one place, a nice girl would never be seen; > It was the same way, it was back in Sante Fe > Men would make fools of themselves at the thought of romance So Feleena was happy to manipulate men and play on their emotions to make money. She wasn’t a “nice girl,” especially by the standards of the time. It’s not clear if she was actually a hooker, but she was certainly in it for the money and the excitement. > [@](#): > > A year passed and maybe more and then through the swingin’ doors > Came a young cowboy so tall and so handsomely dressed > This one was new in town, hadn’t been seen around > He was so different, he wasn’t like all of the rest; > Feleena danced close to him, then threw a rose to him > Quickly he walked to her table and there he sat down > And in a day or so, wherever folks would go > They’d see this young cowboy, showin’ Feelena the town > > Six weeks he went with her, each minute spent with her > But he was insanely jealous of glances she’d give > Inside he was a-hurtin’, from all of her flirtin’ > That was her nature and that was the way that she lived; Although she loved him, she flirted anyway, regardless of the fact that she knew it hurt him. This was a dysfunctional relationship on both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635/40 "2019-10-13T16:49:46Z")
> [@](#): > > So in anger I > Challenged his right for the love of this maiden. Whether the killing was murder or self defense depends on the nature of this challenge. If the challenge was, say, the singer telling his rival something like, “Get the hell away from my girlfriend,” it would be self-defense. If, on the other hand, he approached his rival with his hand on his gun and said, “Get the hell away from my girlfriend or I’ll shoot you,” it would be murder (and the rival would have been acting in self defense when he went for his gun). The song doesn’t get into these details. It’s clear that the singer realizes immediately that he’s made a big mistake, and that the townspeople think it was murder. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-songs-revisted-el-paso/840635.md?page=3)