South of the Border
Billy May and his Orchestra & Frank Sinatra Lyrics

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South of the border - down Mexico way
That's where I fell in love, where the stars above - came out to play
And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray
South of the border - down Mexico way

She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay

South of the border - Mexico way

Then she smiled as she whispered "mañana"
Never dreaming that we were parting
Then I lied as a whispered "mañana"
'Cause our tomorrow never came

South of the border - I jumped back one day
There in a veil of white, by the candle light - she knelt to pray
The mission bells told me (ding-dong) - that I musn't stay
South of the border - Mexico way

Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billy May and His Orchestra's song "South of the Border" tell a story of a young man who falls in love in Mexico. He describes how the stars above played witness to the moment he fell in love. As he wanders, his thoughts always go back to the time he spent in Mexico. He describes the girl he fell in love with, who was a picture in old Spanish lace, and how he kissed a smile upon her face during a fiesta. The lyrics reveal that they had made a promise to see each other the next day, and they both whispered "mañana" to each other. However, the next day, he had to leave Mexico without saying goodbye.

Line by Line Meaning

South of the border - down Mexico way
I fell in love in Mexico

That's where I fell in love, where the stars above - came out to play
I fell in love under the stars in Mexico

And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray
I am always thinking about Mexico

South of the border - down Mexico way
My heart is in Mexico

She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
She was beautiful in her traditional dress

Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
I made her smile by kissing her

'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay
We were happy and celebrating because of the festival

South of the border - Mexico way
Our happiness was in Mexico

Then she smiled as she whispered "mañana"
She smiled and said "tomorrow"

Never dreaming that we were parting
Not realizing we were saying goodbye

Then I lied as I whispered "mañana"
I lied as I also said "tomorrow"

'Cause our tomorrow never came
We never got another chance to be together

South of the border - I jumped back one day
I went back to Mexico in my mind

There in a veil of white, by the candle light - she knelt to pray
I imagined her praying in a white veil by candlelight

The mission bells told me (ding-dong) - that I musn't stay
The church bells reminded me that I couldn't stay in Mexico

South of the border - Mexico way
I left my heart in Mexico

Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Exclamation expressing intense emotion and feelings associated with Mexico

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, MICHAEL CARR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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