South of the Border
Mel Torme & Billy May Lyrics
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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 "mañana"
Never dreaming that we were parting
Then I lied as a whispered "mañana"
'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
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
In Mel Tormé's "South of the Border," the lyrics vividly describe falling in love in Mexico. The first stanza sets the scene of Mexico as a setting where stars "come out to play" and where he fell in love for the first time. The second stanza focuses on his love interest, describing her in beautiful, old Spanish lace, and sharing a fleeting moment with her during a fiesta. The lyrics then shift to a bittersweet memory where they exchanged the word "mañana," meaning "tomorrow," but their tomorrow, sadly, never came. It's clear that his heart still wanders south of the border, as he remembers her praying in a veil of white, while he was compelled to depart due to the tolling of the mission bells.
The lyrics in "South of the Border" evoke a sense of nostalgia, regretful what-if's, and the potent allure of love in beautiful, exotic settings, making it a classic standard among many performers and listeners. Mel Tormé's rendition of the song features a smooth, rich, and velvety voice that perfectly captures the song's romantic nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
South of the border - down Mexico way
The singer is reminiscing about falling in love in Mexico.
That's where I fell in love, where the stars above - came out to play
The singer fell in love in Mexico under the twinkling stars.
And now as I wander - my thoughts ever stray
Even while traveling somewhere else, the singer's mind drifts back to Mexico and that love.
South of the border - down Mexico way
The artist keeps returning mentally to Mexico and that love.
She was a picture - in old Spanish lace
The woman the artist loved was beautiful in traditional Mexican clothing.
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile - upon her face
The singer was so happy to be with her that he felt compelled to kiss her smiling face.
'Cause it was fiesta - and we were so gay
The celebration in Mexico added to their happiness and love for each other.
Then she smiled as she whispered "mañana"
The woman uttered "mañana" (Spanish for "tomorrow") with a smile, but didn't realize they would never have a tomorrow together.
Never dreaming that we were parting
The woman had no idea they would soon be separated.
Then I lied as a whispered "mañana"
The artist, aware that they might not be together again, lied to her by repeating "mañana" to keep her happy and ignorant of the reality of their situation.
'Cause our tomorrow never came
They never had another opportunity to see each other.
South of the border - I jumped back one day
The artist is referring to a specific moment when he realized that he couldn't stay in Mexico and had to leave.
There in a veil of white, by the candle light - she knelt to pray
The woman he loved was praying in a white veil lit by candles. It was a religious moment that moved the singer.
The mission bells told me (ding-dong) - that I musn't stay
The sound of church bells reminded the singer that he couldn't stay in Mexico.
South of the border - Mexico way
The song concludes with another reference to Mexico, indicating that it was a significant place for the singer and that his heart and memories will always be there.
Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
This refrain is a traditional Mexican expression of joy and emotion, adding to the song's overall feeling of nostalgia and love for 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