South of the Border
The Tijuana Brass Lyrics
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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, ?manana?
Never dreaming that we were parting
And 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 candlelight, 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 Tijuana Brass's "South of the Border" is a romantic and nostalgic reflection on a past love. The lyrics speak of falling in love "down Mexico way," with "stars above" providing a romantic backdrop to the experience. The singer reminisces about a woman he met, describing her as a "picture in old Spanish lace" and talks of how he kissed a smile on her face during a fiesta. However, as the couple parted ways, they promised to meet again, saying "manana" to each other, but the man knows deep down that they would never meet again.
Line by Line Meaning
South of the border, down Mexico way
I fell in love in Mexico, and now it's the only place I can think of.
That's where I fell in love, when the stars above came out to play
I fell in love when the stars came out, creating a beautiful atmosphere.
And now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray
My mind often wanders to the memories I have from Mexico.
She was a picture in old Spanish lace
She was beautiful and elegant, wearing antique Spanish clothing.
Just for a tender while I kissed a smile upon her face
I shared a fleeting moment of happiness with her and made her smile.
'Cause it was fiesta and we were so gay
We were happy at the fiesta, enjoying the celebrations.
Then she sighed as she whispered, ?manana?
She sadly whispered 'tomorrow' in Spanish.
Never dreaming that we were parting
She had no idea that we were about to part ways forever.
And I lied as a whispered, ?manana?
I lied and whispered 'tomorrow' back, knowing we would never see each other again.
'Cause our tomorrow never came
We never got the chance to see each other again, so our 'tomorrow' never came.
South of the border, I jumped back one day
I suddenly reminisced about a memory from a day in the past when I was in Mexico.
There in a veil of white, by the candlelight, she knelt to pray
I saw her in a white veil, kneeling and praying by candlelight.
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
The ringing of the mission bells signaled that it was time for me to leave Mexico.
Stay South of the border, down Mexico way
I wish I could stay in Mexico forever, but sadly I must leave.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, MICHAEL CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josecarlosbustamante7388
Dad loved this song. And the whole album. And all the discography of Herb Alpert, indeed! This tune sends me back to my first childhood memories. Happy 88th bday Herb Alpert, regards from Peru🇵🇪. An absolute timeless!
@rexretroexploration6724
🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪
@ozneroll2132
How fortunate I was to have lived in the 60’s to hear great music like this. No one and I mean no one .....did a better version of “South Of The Border” than Herb Alpert!
@srfrider1973
agreed.class of 1973 here
@BennieWilll
With Hal Blaine on drums. Wrecking Crew.
@kevinbalsdon4705
You can say that again. When they re release old tunes, they simply murder them.
@hudahekizzy8402
The definition of "ear candy". Will always be in my list of all-time favorites.
@joemoriel9626
Mine too
@ayubtube5513
Tijuana has become a second home of sorts for me at this point and this is the soundtrack to my life when I’m there
@kirklonnquist3265
I listened to this growing up in the 60s and 70s and it still sounds great today