South Of The Border
Carl Mann 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 "manjanna" Never dreaming that we were parting Then I lied as a whispered "manjanna" '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




Overall Meaning

The song South of the Border by Carl Mann talks about falling in love in Mexico. The lyrics describe the beauty of the country and how the stars in the night sky seem to twinkle brighter than anywhere else. The singer reminisces about a past love, who he met at a fiesta in Mexico. He recalls the moment he first saw her, dressed in old Spanish lace, and how he couldn't help but kiss her when he saw her smiling. As the night went on, they enjoyed the festivities, and the singer remembers how happy they were. However, everything changed the next day when he realized they would have to part ways.


The second part of the song talks about the heartbreak that ensued after their brief time together. The love interest whispered "manjanna" (meaning tomorrow), but they never did see each other again. The singer lied and whispered the same word back to her, knowing deep down that they probably wouldn't meet again. The song then shifts to a memory from the past where the singer goes back in time to a moment where he saw his love at a church, kneeling to pray in a white veil. The church bells rang out, signaling that he needed to leave, and he knew he couldn't stay. The lyrics in the song capture the feeling of longing, loss, and regret for the past.


Line by Line Meaning

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


That's where I fell in love, where the stars above - came out to play
The stars shone bright the night I fell in love.


And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray South of the border - down Mexico way
Even when I'm far away, I can't help thinking of Mexico.


She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
The woman I fell in love with was beautiful in traditional lace dress.


Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
We shared a brief moment of happiness together.


'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay South of the border - Mexico way
We were caught up in the festive spirit of Mexico.


Then she smiled as she whispered "manjanna"
She whispered 'tomorrow' in Spanish, not realizing we would never see each other again.


Never dreaming that we were parting
Neither of us knew it was the last time we would see each other.


Then I lied as a whispered "manjanna"
I whispered 'tomorrow' back to her, knowing it was a lie since we couldn't stay together.


'Cause our tomorrow never came South of the border - I jumped back one day
Our plans for the future fell through and I regret not being able to stay in Mexico.


There in a veil of white, by the candle light - she knelt to pray
I witnessed her praying in a traditional white veil and candle light.


The mission bells told me (ding-dong) - that I musn't stay South of the border - Mexico way
The church bells reminded me that it was time to leave Mexico and go home.




Writer(s): Michael Carr, Jimmy Kennedy Copyright: Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Inc.

Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

My My

Damn, why in the hell didn't the 33 thumbs up people didn't comment? This is a great version of this great song!

juha vesanen

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