El Paso

 

1. To whirl (verb)
2. To cast a spell (verb phrase)
3. Maiden (noun)
4. In vain (adverbial phrase)
5. Dashing and daring (adjectives)
6. Stranger (noun)
7. Deed (noun)
8. Badlands (noun)
9. Cantina (noun)
10. Saddle (noun)
11. Mounted (adjective)
12. Rifle (noun)
13. To kneel (verb)

 

A. A person you do not know
B. To spin or turn quickly
C. A young unmarried woman
D. Brave and stylish
E. A difficult, wild area of land
F. A long gun used for shooting
G. Sitting on or riding an animal (usually a horse)
H. To go down onto your knees
I. Something done or an action
J. A seat for a rider on a horse
K. Without success or result
L. To use magic or enchant someone
M. A bar or small restaurant (especially Spanish/Mexican style)

 

Lead in:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word cowboy?

2. What do you know about life in the Wild West?

3. What do people usually do in a cantina or saloon?

4. How would you describe a “typical” cowboy?

5. Why were gunfights common in Western stories?

6. What would cause two cowboys to fight?

7. If a story involves a cowboy, a girl, and a rival, what do you think will happen?

El Paso

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl
Nighttime _______ find me in Rosa's cantina
Music _______ play and Felina ______ 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 _______ 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
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 ______ done
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there
I had ______ 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 ______ run
Up on its back and away I did ride
Just _____ fast _____ I

_______ from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the badlands of New Mexico

Back in El Paso, my life _______ 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 _____ 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 ______ let them catch me
I ______to make it to Rosa's back door

Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side
________ 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 _______
Though I am weary, I _______ 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, goodbye

 

Comprehension

1. Where does the narrator meet Felina, and what is her role in the story?

2. Why does the narrator get into a fight with the wild young cowboy?

3. What happens immediately after the narrator shoots the stranger?

4. Where does the narrator go after leaving El Paso, and why?

5. What obstacles does the narrator face when he returns to Felina?

6. How does the song end, and what happens to the narrator?

 

Language

1. What do the words in bold have in common?

2. What part of speech are the words in yellow – what do the words mean?

3. What grammar feature