South of the Border
Romance Under Mexican Skies: Frank Sinatra's South of the Border
Lyrics
South of the border, down Mexico way
Expresses the geographical location, south of the border, referring to Mexico.
That's where I fell in love, when the stars above, came out to play
Recalls a romantic experience in Mexico, under the night sky filled with stars.
And now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray
Reflects on the lingering thoughts and memories of the past love.
South of the border, down Mexico way
Reiterates the connection to a romantic experience south of the border.
She was a picture, in old Spanish lace
Describes the beloved in an attractive way, wearing old Spanish lace.
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile upon her face
Recalls a tender moment of kissing the beloved's smiling face during a celebration (fiesta).
'Cause it was fiesta, and we were so gay
Highlights the joyous atmosphere of the fiesta and the happiness of the moment.
South of the border, Mexico way
Reiterates the romantic connection in Mexico.
Then she sight as she whispered mañana
The beloved sighs, expressing a desire for a future meeting ("mañana").
Never dreaming that we were parting
Reveals the narrator's realization that they were unknowingly parting at that moment.
And I lied as a whispered mañana
Admits to lying about the future meeting ("mañana") because it never came to pass.
'Cause our tomorrow never came
Emphasizes the disappointment as the promised tomorrow never arrived.
South of the border, I jumped back one day
Narrates a moment of departure from the romantic experience south of the border.
There in a veil of white, by the candle light, she knelt to pray
Describes a scene with the beloved kneeling to pray in a white veil and candlelight.
The mission bells told me that I musn't stay
Indicates that the mission bells signaled the necessity to leave and not stay.
South of the border, Mexico way
Reiterates the need to depart from the romantic experience in Mexico.
The mission bells told me (ding dong) that I must not stay
Repeats the warning from the mission bells, emphasizing the need to stay away from the border.
Stay south of the border, down Mexico way
Concludes with a directive to remain south of the border, down Mexico way.
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