Bill Hughes formed the idea of a trio of Irish tenors during a Cannes festival at which the famous Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras and Plácido Domingo were performing. Hughes wanted to produce a television special and first approached Ireland's Finbar Wright in 1998 to join the group but Wright's recording contract with Sony BMG prohibited such a venture. Hughes then invited Canadian John McDermott to head up the group and he accepted. After conferring with Ireland's leading vocal coach, Dr. Veronica Dunne, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan were asked to join. In 1999, "The Irish Tenors-in Dublin" debuted on PBS television in the United States.
PBS signed up for another special by the increasingly popular new group but early in 2000 McDermott's mother died and John decided he could not fully commit himself to the group. Days before PBS was to film The Irish Tenors - Live in Belfast Hughes again contacted Finbar Wright and asked him to step in. Wright agreed to help and was asked to stay on for upcoming tour dates. Having left Sony, Wright was able to join the trio on a permanent basis.
In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed their third special, an historic PBS broadcast at New York's Ellis Island , hosted by Irish/American actor Martin Sheen. Their album "Ellis Island" topped Billboard's Heatseeker list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001".
In 2006, after Tynan left the group to concentrate on his solo career, Karl Scully was asked by Kearns and Wright to join the trio. This successful blend of voices spurred Bill Hughes to produce a television 9 part series for Ireland's RTE titled The Irish Tenors & Friends. Friends performing on the television special with The Irish Tenors include Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber , Paul Carrick, Finbar Furey , Hayley Westenra , Shayne Ward , Sharon Shannon, Peter Grant , Rebecca Storm, Lucia Evans , and Celine Byrne.
In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation" welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.
The trio continues to tour yearly.
South of the border
The Irish Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's where I fell in love, when 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 sighed, as she whispered, "Manjanna"
Never dreaming that we were parting
Then I lied as a whispered, "Manjanna"
'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 that I mustn't stay
South of the border, Mexico way
The mission bells told me, ding-dong that I must not stay
Stay south of the border, down Mexico way
The Irish Tenors’ song “South of the Border” narrates a love story that took place in Mexico. The singer reminisces about falling in love in Mexico under the stars with a beautiful woman wearing old Spanish lace. The location of Mexico fills the heart with warmth and romance that the singer remembers even now. The festive atmosphere and the Mexican vibe set the mood for this lovely encounter. Still, despite the love felt, the singer had to lie to the lover when she whispered tomorrow which never came.
As the song continues, we learn that even after the lovely time spent in Mexico, the relationship never lasted. The singer jumped back in time, highlighting a memory of the woman he lost, who was getting married to another man. The mission bells rang, and he knew he had to leave Mexico and move on from love. While the vocalist could not stay in Mexico, his thoughts stay there to this day. The song concludes with the singer conceding that he should have stayed south of the border down Mexico way.
Line by Line Meaning
South of the border, down Mexico way
I fell in love in Mexico where the stars shone bright
That's where I fell in love, when the stars above came out to play
Mexico is where I first found love under a starry night sky
And now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray
My mind often drifts back to those passionate moments in Mexico
South of the border, down Mexico way
I long for the vibrant and romantic atmosphere of Mexico
She was a picture, in old Spanish lace
The woman I loved wore beautiful and traditional clothing
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile upon her face
I had a short but sweet relationship with her and made her smile
'Cause it was fiesta and we were so gay
We celebrated together and enjoyed each other's company
South of the border, Mexico way
My heart yearns for the happiness and good times we shared in Mexico
Then she sighed, as she whispered, "Manjanna"
She spoke of our future with hope in her voice
Never dreaming that we were parting
Neither of us thought we would ever have to leave each other
Then I lied as a whispered, "Manjanna"
I pretended that our future together was certain to ease her worries
'Cause our tomorrow never came
We had no idea our relationship would end so abruptly
South of the border, I jumped back one day
One day I had to leave Mexico suddenly and without warning
There in a veil of white, by the candle light she knelt to pray
As I left, I saw her praying in a white veil by candlelight
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
The sound of the bells told me I had to leave Mexico and my love behind
South of the border, Mexico way
I can never forget the love and the memories that I created in Mexico
The mission bells told me, ding-dong that I must not stay
The sound of the bells signaled the end of my time in love and Mexico
Stay south of the border, down Mexico way
It is painful to be away from her and the life I once lived in Mexico
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ron Wickman
on Grace
A glorious rendition that tears at one's heart, without histrionics.. Wm. Shakespeare couldn't have said it better.