South
Clyde McCoy And His Orchestra Lyrics
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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 lyrics to "South of the Border" by Clyde McCoy and His Orchestra describe a love story that takes place in Mexico. The singer reminisces about falling in love with a woman in old Spanish lace during a fiesta. They shared a brief but joyful moment while the stars were shining above. The singer had to leave her the next day, promising to see her tomorrow, but he never fulfilled that promise. When he came back to Mexico for her, he found her in a church kneeling in prayer, about to marry someone else.
The song captures the beauty and excitement of falling in love while traveling to a foreign land. The mention of the fiesta and the old Spanish lace evoke a romantic and exotic atmosphere. The singer's regret for not following through on his promise to return to Mexico is palpable, as he sees his lost love with someone else. The lyrics are filled with melancholy as he realizes the futility of his plan to rekindle his love, and the song ends with a series of "Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!" that suggests emotional pain.
Overall, "South of the Border" is a bittersweet song about love and loss that beautifully captures the mood and essence of Mexico.
Line by Line Meaning
South of the border
I was in Mexico
Down Mexico way
In a specific area of Mexico
That's where I fell in love when stars above came out to play
I fell in love with someone under the stars
And now as I wander
As I go about my life
My thoughts ever stray
I can't help but think about
She was a picture
She was stunningly beautiful
In old Spanish lace
Wearing traditional Spanish clothing
Just for a tender while I kissed the smile upon her face
I had a fleeting moment of intimacy and happiness with her
For it was fiesta
We were celebrating a holiday
And we were so gay
We were happy and carefree
Then she sighed and she whispered 'Mañana'
She said 'tomorrow'
Never dreaming that we were parting
Without realizing it was the last time we'd see each other
And I lied as I whispered 'Mañana'
I pretended we would see each other again
For our tomorrow never came
We never saw each other again
I rode back one day
I returned to Mexico at a later time
There in a veil of white by candlelight she knelt to pray
I saw her getting married in a traditional church ceremony
The mission bells told me
The church bells reminded me
That I mustn't stay
That I couldn't linger
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Expressing a feeling of sadness or longing
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Expressing a feeling of sadness or longing
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Expressing a feeling of sadness or longing
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
Expressing a feeling of sadness or longing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG HONEYCUTT, MARK REINHARDT, RICHARD K BRADLEY, STEVE VAN DAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind