Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1956, he released his first No. 1 country song, "Singing the Blues" and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron" and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before death.
Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, having recently appeared in several contemporary pop culture features, including the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and the series finale of AMC's Breaking Bad.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins grew up in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children; however, his hard drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a local medicine man. At 17, Robbins left his troubled home to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
Robbins' discography consists of 52 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 100 singles. In his career, Robbins charted 17 Number One singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as 82 Top 40 singles.
Robbins' highest charting album is 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It charted to #6 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's first single, "El Paso", became a hit on both the country and pop charts, charting to Number One on the Hot Country Songs as well as the Billboard Hot 100. While that would be his only pop Number One, in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" charted to #2, and in 1961, "Don't Worry" charted to #3.
His final Top 10 single was "Honkytonk Man" from the 1982 eponymous film in which Robbins had a role. He died shortly before its release. Since his death, four posthumous studio albums have been released, but they made no impact on the charts.
Robbins married Marizona "Mari" Baldwin on September 27, 1948. They had two children, Ronny and Janet, and were married 34 years until his death.
South of the Border
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ay-ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay-ay!)
South of the border, down Mexico way,
That's where I fell in love
When stars above came out to play,
And now as they wander, my thoughts ever stray
South of the border, down Mexico way.
And she sighed as she whispered "manana,"
And I lied as I whispered "manana,"
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!
The lyrics to Marty Robbins's song South of the Border describe a love story that takes place in Mexico. The singer reminisces about falling in love "south of the border" when he and his lover gazed at the stars above. He is haunted by the memory of their love, and his thoughts always turn to their time together in Mexico. The word "manana" is repeated throughout the song and suggests the hope of a future together, but ultimately that future never comes to pass.
The song takes a tragic turn when the singer returns to Mexico to find his lover praying in a veil of white by candlelight. The mission bells ring out a warning that he must not stay, suggesting that his lover may have died or that her family may not approve of their relationship. The repetition of the words "ay-ay-ay-ay" at the beginning and end of the song add to its melancholic tone.
Overall, the lyrics of South of the Border paint a vivid picture of a doomed love affair in a romantic and exotic location. The song has become a classic in country and western music, and its enduring popularity speaks to its ability to evoke strong emotions in its listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ay-ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay-ay!)
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
South of the border, down Mexico way,
In Mexico, beyond the US-Mexico border.
That's where I fell in love
I found love there.
When stars above came out to play,
At night, when the stars shone bright.
And now as they wander, my thoughts ever stray
My thoughts often go back to that place where I fell in love.
And she sighed as she whispered "manana,"
She said 'tomorrow' with a sigh.
Never dreaming that we were parting
Unaware that we were about to leave each other.
And I lied as I whispered "manana,"
I said 'tomorrow' even though I knew we wouldn't meet again.
For our tomorrow never came.
We never got to see each other again.
South of the border, I rode back one day.
I returned to Mexico.
There in a veil of white by candlelight,
At a wedding ceremony.
She knelt to pray.
She prayed, probably for happiness in our future.
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
The bells of the church signaled that it was time for me to leave.
Ay-ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay-ay!
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, MICHAEL CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carolekohlschmidt6899
I miss hearing Marty Robbins sing. His voice was so beautiful.
@shchrinepinto885
We love Marty Robbins and his voice...all of us in our home...super, awesome, mesmerising...
@liliacailing7229
Marty Robbins had a very soothing voice. I loved this man and his music, God bless hs soul.
@patriciaroberts1904
Loved his voice, the stories, the wisdom mixed with waywardness, his understanding of how we get ourselves in so much trouble.
@clyde21641
I was so lucky enough to see this man preform many years ago in Abilene, Tx. He was a great performer.
@rosalindcostello5
Marty is one of the greatest entertainers ever love all his music he was a gentlemen and a good family man.I also love his son Ronnie he's sounds like his dad.
@capergal4962
Such a voice and you can really hear the gift he has on this song. I grew up with his songs and so many other great C&W singers, we had the best of the best.
@lornafraserwaterworth559
💖 “ a lovely old love song beautifully sung by Marty Robbins” 💖
@lornafraserwaterworth559
💖 “ superb version of South of the border by Marty Robbins”❤️. I love it ❤️
@phyllisjimmeye6661
Marty is a very talented and romantic man. I love every song he ever sang. It is hard to believe he was born the same year my dad was born.