For a few months the Andrews Sisters joined Glenn Miller on his new weekly radio broadcasts. This is a compilation with all the Andrews Sisters' songs from these broadcasts, plus some other songs with Glenn Miller featuring Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, and Tex Beneke.
The broadcasts were originally recorded to acetate records, and transferred to analog tape in 1965. Digitally remastered by CEDAR Restauration in 2003 from the 1965 tapes, because the original acetate records had disintegrated. The source was in bad shape, and the sound engineers were able to "squeeze the most realistic sound from the most unrealistic sources. The ticks and pops and other background noise were minimized as much as was prudent".
The introduction and closing announcements on each CD are from the original shows, and include sponsor advertising. Most of the songs feature announcements in the beginning. The idea of this compilation was to capture these historic documents, as well as people's excitement over these broadcasts back then.
This CD set got excellent customer reviews at Amazon. The songs actually sound great, and feature very lively performances. Each CD has the original announcer's introduction, then a compilation of songs with the original announcements, closed by the announcer speaking again at the end.
South of the border
Glenn Miller & Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Then she smiled as she whispered "manana"
Never dreaming that we were parting
Then I lied as a whispered "manana"
'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
The Glenn Miller & Andrews Sisters song "South Of The Border" describes falling in love with a woman in Mexico. The opening line "South of the border - down Mexico way" sets the scene and the romantic tone of the song. The singer recalls the moment of falling in love when the stars came out to play. Even when he is far from Mexico, his thoughts wander back to the moments he spent with his lover south of the border. The woman is described as a picture in old Spanish lace, and the singer remembers how happy they were during the fiesta.
However, ultimately, their happiness was short-lived. The singer tells the story of how he parted with her, promising to see her again tomorrow, but that day never arrived. He went back one day to see her praying in a veil of white by candlelight. The mission bells ringing in the background convey the message that he could no longer stay and that their time together was over.
The song's narrative of falling in love with a woman in Mexico follows the traditional theme of many songs and stories of foreigners encountering love interests in exotic locations. However, the lyrics are more complex than just a simple love story, and it reflects on the bittersweet nature of love, memory, and longing.
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 fell in love under the stars in Mexico.
And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray
I can't stop thinking about Mexico.
South of the border - down Mexico way
I am thinking of Mexico.
She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
She looked beautiful in traditional Spanish clothing.
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
I kissed her and made her smile.
'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay
We were happy at the party.
South of the border - Mexico way
In Mexico.
Then she smiled as she whispered 'manana'
She said 'tomorrow' with a smile.
Never dreaming that we were parting
She didn't know we were saying goodbye forever.
Then I lied as I whispered 'manana'
I lied when I said 'tomorrow.'
'Cause our tomorrow never came
We didn't have a future together.
South of the border - I jumped back one day
I remember a time in Mexico when I realized I had to leave.
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 reminded me that I had to leave Mexico.
South of the border - Mexico way
In Mexico.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, MICHAEL CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind