Tijuana
Tom Eno Lyrics
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San Diego
Tijuana
A land of broken dreams
Señorita
That dancing in the moon light
That flashy Spanish Dark eyes
To everyone that seems
They say Hey Gringo
Can you take us cross the border
Just them I′m a daughter
Of a local
Down the backstreets
And through the alleys
All those young men
They stand with pride
Look at the palace
See the kingdom of Tijuana
They say Hey Gringo
Can you take us cross the border
We'll work for just a quarter
On the other side
They say Hey Gringo
Can you take us cross the border
We′ll work for just a quarter
Hoooh
On the other side
On the other side
On the other side
Of Tijuana
The lyrics of Tom Eno's song Tijuana depict the desperation of people living in a land of broken dreams, seeking to cross the border into the US for a better life. The song is set in Tijuana, just below San Diego, and tells the story of a señorita dancing in the moonlight with flashy Spanish dark eyes. The young men of Tijuana stand with pride despite the difficult circumstances.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Hey Gringo, can you take us across the border?" as these desperate people seek help from the singer to cross into the United States. The lyrics reflect the harsh reality of living in Tijuana and the dream of a better life just across the border. The lines "We'll work for just a quarter" further emphasize the desperation of these people who are willing to do any work for minimal pay on the other side.
The song underscores the plight of people who are forced to leave their homes and families behind, willing to risk everything to make a better life on the other side. The lyrics are poignant and reflect the human struggle that remains relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Just below
The location is just below another place.
San Diego
The place in question is close to San Diego.
Tijuana
The place that is being referred to is Tijuana.
A land of broken dreams
Tijuana is a place where many people's hopes and dreams have been shattered.
Señorita
A young woman in Tijuana is being referred to.
That dancing in the moon light
The woman dances in the moonlight.
That flashy Spanish Dark eyes
The woman has striking, dark eyes that are representative of her Spanish heritage.
To everyone that seems
Many people notice and are captivated by this woman's beauty.
They say Hey Gringo
The locals are addressing a foreigner as "Gringo" to get their attention.
Can you take us cross the border
The locals are asking the foreigner to help them cross the border to the US.
Just them I'm a daughter
The person asking for help is revealing that they are the child of a local.
Of a local
The person asking for help is revealing that they are from Tijuana.
Down the backstreets
The group will need to travel through less-visible parts of town to cross the border.
And through the alleys
The group will have to take less-trafficked streets to avoid detection while crossing the border.
All those young men
Young men are also asking for the foreigner's help to cross the border.
They stand with pride
Despite needing help, the young men have a sense of confidence and self-respect.
Look at the palace
The group is admiring a notable building in Tijuana.
See the kingdom of Tijuana
The group is proud of their city and recognizes its cultural significance.
We'll work for just a quarter
The locals are willing to work for a significantly lower wage than they would in the US.
Hoooh
A vocalization expressing enthusiasm or excitement.
On the other side
The group is looking to cross over to the US side of the border.
Writer(s): J. J. Cale
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.