El Paso - That old song in my mind...

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

Night time would find me in Rosa’s cantina

Music would play and Feleena would whirl…..

When I realized I had to land in El Paso before setting foot in Mexico, that old song just came up and kept playing itself in my mind.  Marty Robbins went on to sing about how a handsome young cowboy “wild as the West Texas wind” came in one night and he had to challenge his love for the pretty young maiden.  His challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat and the handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor, after which he had to run for his life, out through Rosa’s back door.  A few years down the road, the wandering cowboy with his heart still yearning for his Mexican dancing girl arrived at the hill overlooking El Paso.  There, feeling in his heart a love greater than his fear of death, he rode into town with “five mounted cowboys closing in on him on his right and on his left rode a dozen or more”.  Shouting and shooting he rode straight for Rosa’s back door but he was shot down before he could get there.  As he lay dying, he found himself cradled in the arms of his Mexican maiden….

After Cinderella, Snow White, Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, I’d grown up with a steady diet of cowboy comics featuring Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hikok, etc.  Then I progressed to Louis L’amor novels and John Wayne movies among others.  It is no small wonder then at the mention of El Paso, the memories of these came flooding back. 

I’d not imagined I’d ever set foot in El Paso in my lifetime.  Not even in my dreams.  But there was I, even walking around in this historic town where nobody walks (to get anywhere significant, that is).  The town, like most US towns, is built for the automobile.  There are very few tall buildings.  Most stores and supermarkets have huge parking lots.  I sort of enjoyed every moment as I sat there in the lobby listening to the old portly hotel manager’s west Texan drawl telling about Mexicans, Chicanos and jokes from the internet.  The next day before we left, he asked us where we’re going and I said, “South of the border”.  And he broke into another of my favorite songs;

South of the border

Down Mexico way…

I’d not be there had I not responded to the call of duty and accepted to take the trip to our Juarez plant in Mexico.  As it was, we had almost always set up and run our production lines based on some drawings, sketches, photos and word-of-mouth advice from ‘those who know’ until recently when our Manager of Production Process for Asia-Pacific region came and gave us a first-hand audit.  And that was it!  Our process standard wasn’t up to par.  We needed a bench-marking trip to get ourselves up to world-class standards to meet world-class customers’ demands and to compete with world-class competitors.  Fuyoh!!  After looking at what others are doing elsewhere we realized we are still “jaguh kampong” in spite of the awards and certifications we display on our walls! 

But, work aside.  I found the lyrics that has been playing on in my mind every now and then through the years.

El Paso

Marty Robbins

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

I fell in love with a Mexican girl

Night time would find me in Rosa's cantina

Music would play and Feleena would whirl

Blacker than night where the eyes of Feleena

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 Feleena, 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 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

Up on its back and away I did ride

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 Feleena 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 Feleena 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 Feleena 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 Feleena, goodbye

Photo credit: Nirot