The purpose of the band was to stir pro-Nazi sympathy, draw attention to World War II Allied losses, and carry Adolf Hitler's messages in an entertaining form. The songs stressed how badly the war was going for the target audience, and how it was only going to be a matter of time before they would be beaten.
Led by German accented front man Karl Schwedler ("Charlie"), conducted by Lutz Templin, and paced by drummer Fritz "Freddie" Brocksieper, the band included Kurt Abraham on reeds and Willy Berking on trombone. The group formed in 1940, making over 90 recordings between March 1941 and February 1943. Arrangements were by Templin, Willy Berking, and Franz Mück, with lyrics written by the Propagandaministerium. Schwedler was allowed permission to travel to neutral and occupied countries to collect jazz and dance music, which helped the band and propaganda ministry to craft more recordings.
Popular American swing songs - and popular British tunes/songs - were initially performed true to the original, until about the second or third verse which were replaced by pro-German lyrics and monologues. For example, in the tune You're Driving Me Crazy, Schwedler croons about the confusion of new love, and in the third verse continues: Here is Winston Churchill's latest tear-jerker: Yes, the Germans are driving me crazy / I thought I had brains / But they shot down my planes..." Later, the entire lyric would be modified, clearly based on the original. The band even recorded some "cover versions" of the originals, unaltered.
Indeed, anecdotal accounts indicate that Winston Churchill enjoyed the broadcasts, finding the lyrics hilarious.
Many of the members of Charlie and his Orchestra went on to successful careers in music after the war.
South of the Border
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down Mexico way
That's where I fell in love when stars above came out to play
And now as I wander
My thoughts ever stray
South of the border
Down Mexico way
In old Spanish lace
Just for a tender while I kissed the smile upon her face
For it was fiesta
And we were so gay
South of the border
Down Mexico way
Then she sighed and she whispered "Mañana"
Never dreaming that we were parting
And I lied as I whispered "Mañana"
For our tomorrow never came
South of the border
I rode back one day
There in a veil of white by candlelight she knelt to pray
The mission bells told me
That I mustn't stay
South of the border
Down Mexico way
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
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The song "South of the Border" by Charlie and His Orchestra is a classic love song that describes a romantic encounter in Mexico. The singer falls in love with a woman he meets while on holiday in Mexico, and they spend a happy time together during a fiesta. However, when it comes time for him to leave, they both say "Mañana" (tomorrow), not realizing that they will never see each other again. When the singer returns to the same place later on, he discovers that the woman has become a nun, taking a vow of celibacy, and he deeply regrets not staying with her. The song concludes with the singer expressing his feelings of loss and nostalgia for the time he spent "South of the border, down Mexico way."
The lyrics to "South of the Border" are full of imagery and romantic longing, and the song's melody is equally evocative. The use of Spanish words and phrases, as well as the reference to the "mission bells," makes the song feel authentically Latin American. The chorus of "Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!" adds a touch of drama and emotion to the song. Overall, "South of the Border" is a nostalgic and bittersweet ode to lost love and the fleeting nature of time.
Line by Line Meaning
South of the border
Referring to being in Mexico
Down Mexico way
Further emphasizing being in Mexico
That's where I fell in love when stars above came out to play
Falling in love under the starry night sky in Mexico
And now as I wander
Reflecting on past memories while wandering
My thoughts ever stray
Continuing to think about the time spent in Mexico
She was a picture
Describing a woman he met
In old Spanish lace
Referring to the style of clothing the woman was wearing
Just for a tender while I kissed the smile upon her face
Sharing a romantic moment with the woman
For it was fiesta
Describing the festive atmosphere
And we were so gay
Feeling joyful and carefree
Then she sighed and she whispered "Mañana"
The woman saying goodbye and hinting at meeting again
Never dreaming that we were parting
Unaware that they may not see each other again
And I lied as I whispered "Mañana"
Saying goodbye and promising to meet again even though he knew it may not happen
For our tomorrow never came
Their plans to meet again never happened
I rode back one day
Returning to Mexico
There in a veil of white by candlelight she knelt to pray
Seeing the woman he met wearing a wedding veil, praying at a church
The mission bells told me
The sound of the church bells signaling something
That I mustn't stay
Realizing he cannot stay in Mexico any longer
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
An expression of emotion often associated with Mexican culture
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Continuing to express emotion
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Further emphasizing the emotional impact of the experience in Mexico
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Ending the song with the same expression of emotion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG HONEYCUTT, MARK REINHARDT, RICHARD K BRADLEY, STEVE VAN DAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Wisher
I can't help but like Charlie and his Orchestra. They're both sublime and terrible at the same time. This was a nice one that I hadn't heard before. Thanks for posting.
Nateman1000
They be like:
Perfect singing randomly cut at the end by a manifesto of the great Aryan race destroying the Jews and that traitor churchill
Lokus199
@jawisher : thanks for your comment. My favorite is who´ll buy my bublichky. You can find it at my other charlie songs with lyrics.