South of the Border
Cline Patsy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

South of the border, down Mexico way
That's where they fell in love
When stars above
Came out to play
And now as they wander, their thoughts ever stray
South of the border, down Mexico way

She was a picture in old Spanish lace
Just for a tender while
He kissed the smile
Upon her face
For it was "Fiesta" and they were so gay
South of the border, down Mexico way

Then she sighed as she whispered "ma'ana"
Never dreaming that they were parting
And he lied as he whispered "ma'ana"
For that tomorrow never came

South of the border, he rode back one day
There in a veil of white
By candlelight
She knelt to pray
The mission bells told him that he 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "South of the Border" by Patsy Cline tell the story of a young couple who falls in love on a vacation trip to Mexico. The romantic space of Mexico with its warm nights and starry skies creates an ideal atmosphere for love. The song describes the encounter of the young couple as a picturesque escape from their ordinary lives. The first verse sets the scene, where the stars come out to play, and they fall in love. The next verse describes the girl as wearing old Spanish lace, and for a tender moment, the boy kisses her smile. They both enjoy the fiesta and are happy together, and even though they know they have to leave each other behind, they whisper, "mañana," meaning tomorrow.


In the final verse, the girl kneels to pray on their wedding day, surrounded by candles in a veil of white, and the mission bells remind him that he must return to his home country. It's a poignant reminder of their love, the joy, and the fleetingness of life. Overall "South of the Border" reflects the beauty of love, but also its transience, as the young lovers parted and never seen again after the vacation.


Line by Line Meaning

South of the border, down Mexico way
They fell in love in Mexico


That's where they fell in love
They fell in love in Mexico


When stars above
They fell in love under the stars


Came out to play
The stars were shining and beautiful that night


And now as they wander, their thoughts ever stray
They still think about the memories they made in Mexico


South of the border, down Mexico way
They fell in love in Mexico


She was a picture in old Spanish lace
She looked beautiful in her Spanish lace dress


Just for a tender while
Their love was brief but sweet


He kissed the smile
He kissed her beautiful smile


Upon her face
He kissed her on the face


For it was "Fiesta" and they were so gay
They were happy and celebrating the Fiesta


Then she sighed as she whispered "ma'ana"
She said "tomorrow" with a sigh


Never dreaming that they were parting
She didn't think they would be separated


And he lied as he whispered "ma'ana"
He lied and said "tomorrow" even though he knew he was leaving


For that tomorrow never came
They never saw each other again


South of the border, he rode back one day
He returned to Mexico one day


There in a veil of white
She was wearing a white veil


By candlelight
The only light was from candles


She knelt to pray
She was praying


The mission bells told him that he mustn't stay
The bells signaled that he needed to leave


South of the border, down Mexico way
Their love story took place in Mexico


Ay-ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay-ay
Traditional Mexican expression typically used to express strong emotions such as despair, excitement or joy.


Ay-ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay-ay
Traditional Mexican expression typically used to express strong emotions such as despair, excitement or joy.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@jaydaawg.8191

Uncle Jun is in the muff.

@chriskernow968

Ty wokki !!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a CLOWN.

@jaydaawg.8191

@@chriskernow968 are you ok?

@kobacorps

I know here you live

@Tonysoprano1999

I knew it😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@muhammedshefin4500

Atleast I can deal with my problems.... Unlike some I know

11 More Replies...

@jamestaylor5589

😀 Hands Down .. NO CONTEST .. Patsy's Cline is the Greatest female Singer .. EVER !!

@52n1

That was a beautiful rendition of this old classic.

@clevebaker8399

Tears for Patsy. She was beyond special.. kinda like Karen carpenter

@johnmeadows5645

This is by far the best version of South of The Border ever sang.

More Comments

More Versions