South of the Border
Romance Under Mexican Skies: Herb Alpert's South of the Border Story
Lyrics
South of the border, down Mexico way
Refers to a location south of the U.S. border, specifically in Mexico.
That's where I fell in love, when the stars above came out to play
Describes falling in love under the night sky.
And now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray
Expresses wandering thoughts about the past love.
South of the border, down Mexico way
Reiterates being south of the border in Mexico.
She was a picture in old Spanish lace
Describes the woman as a beautiful image in Spanish lace.
Just for a tender while I kissed a smile upon her face
Recalls a moment of kissing her with a smile on her face.
'Cause it was fiesta and we were so gay
Mentions a festive atmosphere ("fiesta") and happiness.
South of the border, Mexico way
Reiterates being south of the border in Mexico during the festivities.
Then she sighed as she whispered, 'manana'
She sighed and mentioned "manana" (tomorrow), hinting at a future meeting.
Never dreaming that we were parting
Describes the speaker's unawareness of an impending separation.
And I lied as a whispered, 'manana'
Admits lying about tomorrow, suggesting the relationship's unexpected end.
'Cause our tomorrow never came
Reflects on the disappointment that tomorrow never came.
South of the border, I jumped back one day
Recalls a moment when the speaker had to leave abruptly.
There in a veil of white, by the candlelight, she knelt to pray
Describes a scene with the woman in white, kneeling to pray.
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
Mission bells signal that the speaker must leave the location.
South of the border, Mexico way
Reiterates being south of the border in Mexico and the need to depart.
The mission bells told me, ding, dong, that I must not stay
Repeats the message from mission bells about not staying.
Stay South of the border, down Mexico way
Finalizes the song by emphasizing the need to stay south of the border.
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