From the recording Rootless Seed
Lyrics
El Azteca
M. Litton
Shots rang out late Saturday night
Outside the El Azteca as a young girl died
Down in east Topeka where the big freights roll
Down in east Topeka they shot Angela Quintero
Only 15, no more than a child
Out looking for action, running wild
Outside the El Azteca beneath the dim street lights
She stepped in an alley and down that alley she died
Outside the El Azteca lies a bleeding rose
Outside the El Azteca lies Angela Quintero
A fight broke out over something said
The tavern emptied out like a blow to the head
There were flashing lights and sirens as the police came
Outside the El Azteca and no one knew who to blame
The fight broke up, the crowd headed home
They heard three shots fired, a scream and a moan
Angela lay dyin’, a stranger held her hand
Outside the El Azteca there ran a wanted man
Down in east Topeka where the big freights roll
Down in east Topeka hear the scream of a dyin’ soul
So ask as you pray, “Will the sun still shine
“On the face of the fool who done that crime?”
Ask as you pray, “Will the rose still bloom?”
Well the sun may shine on the killer’s face
When he walks free from prison some ol’ day
The sun may even shine to the bottom of the mine
But the sun will never shine on Angela in her grave
Down in east Topeka where the big freights roll
Down in east Topeka hear the scream of a dyin’ soul
Outside the El Azteca hear the train whistle blow
Fadin’ in the night as the wind blows cold
Outside the El Azteca, outside the El Azteca
Outside the El Azteca hear the scream of a dyin’ soul...