South Of The Border
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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Kennedy-Carr

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

In Chuck Berry's "South of the Border," the singer reminisces about falling in love in Mexico. He describes the beauty of the stars above and how he can't stop thinking about her. She was a picture in old Spanish lace, and he kissed her as they celebrated during a fiesta. The lyrics "manjanna" mean "tomorrow" in Spanish, and they whispered it to each other as they thought of their future together. However, when he returns to Mexico one day, he discovers that she has become a nun and is praying in a mission. He must leave without her, knowing that they will never be together again.


This song is a classic example of the romanticism of Mexico in American popular culture. It reflects many themes of the time, including love, youth, and a desire for adventure. The singer's regret at not being able to stay with his love due to religious and cultural differences also reflects the changing values of society during the 1950s and 1960s. This song has remained popular over the years and has been covered by various artists, including Nat King Cole and Patsy Cline.


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 found love under the night sky in Mexico


And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray
My mind often wanders back to Mexico


South of the border - down Mexico way
I remember falling in love in Mexico


She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
I fell in love with a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Spanish clothing


Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
I shared a brief, tender moment with her and kissed her smiling face


'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay
We were happy because it was a festive time in Mexico


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


Then she smiled as she whispered "manjanna"
She smiled and whispered "tomorrow"


Never dreaming that we were parting
We didn't realize we were saying goodbye


Then I lied as a whispered "manjanna"
I lied and whispered "tomorrow" even though I knew we wouldn't see each other again


'Cause our tomorrow never came
We never got the chance to see each other again


South of the border - I jumped back one day
I remember being in Mexico and the events that unfolded


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


The mission bells told me (ding-dong) - that I musn't stay
The church bells tolled and reminded me that I had to leave


South of the border - Mexico way
I have fond memories of falling in love in Mexico




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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@felipealmeida6548

I'm a travelling salesman
I travel over the world
And I leave my wife at home
Trusting she'll be a good little girl
And we have a roamer
And our family
And here is the story
Of what that louse did to me

That louse of a roamer
From New Mexico way
No doubt that jerk
From Albuquerque
He's in dat same mood today
What he did to my fiancée
While I was away
South of her border
Down Mexico way

When I came home
The little bambino was crying
And I think I heard
It murmur so tenderly
Then I think I heard it say
Manana
And, folks, you can see
It ain't one drop of Spanish in me

South of the border
I rode back one day
And I shot him right between
His Rio Grande and his Santa Fe
There's one thing I know now
Oh, he'll never play
South of her border
Down Mexico way.



All comments from YouTube:

@verndaniel6780

I smile ever time I hear it!!

@mrbillhicks

The man invented Rock and Roll and remains it's finest exponent....

@cooldaddy2877

hahahahaha. Yes, he invented something that Bill Haley and Elvis were DOING BEFORE Chuck. Oh you are so funny!

@emmanuelrod03

Shut up clown Elviz even gives this man his props and has recorded half of this mans original tracks you dont know what you talking about

@sinsitj007

Grande Chuck, Grande. RIP El mas Grande.  :(

@felipealmeida6548

I'm a travelling salesman
I travel over the world
And I leave my wife at home
Trusting she'll be a good little girl
And we have a roamer
And our family
And here is the story
Of what that louse did to me

That louse of a roamer
From New Mexico way
No doubt that jerk
From Albuquerque
He's in dat same mood today
What he did to my fiancée
While I was away
South of her border
Down Mexico way

When I came home
The little bambino was crying
And I think I heard
It murmur so tenderly
Then I think I heard it say
Manana
And, folks, you can see
It ain't one drop of Spanish in me

South of the border
I rode back one day
And I shot him right between
His Rio Grande and his Santa Fe
There's one thing I know now
Oh, he'll never play
South of her border
Down Mexico way.

@MrHankbmarvin

what does it mean "dat" (maybe "that")?

@verndaniel6780

@Dušan Hlísta yes that

@RAMLIA1

❤️❤️❤️

@bernardgolo246

Pls, I really like this song. But as I'm a frenchspeaker it is very difficult for me to catch all the words used by Chuck. Sometimes the public laughs when he is pronouncing some words, but I don't know why, cause I don't understand. I could if I could watch the lyrics. Pls, I want you transcribe the lyrics of the song for me...in english of course. Pls, pls, pls.Thanks in advance. BEN

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