"South of the Border" (Gene Autry, 1939)

One of "The Singing Cowboy"'s finest numbers, from the Republic picture "Down Mexico Way". Written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

South of the border, down Mexico way,
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.
And for a tender while
I kissed the smile upon her face.
For it was fiesta, and we were so gay
South of the border, Mexico way.

Then she sighed as she whispered 'manana'
Never dreaming that we were parting.
And I lied as I whispered 'manana'
For our tomorrow never came.

South of the border, I rode back one day
There in a veil of white by candlelight
She knelt to pray.
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
South of the border, down Mexico way.

Ai-ai-ai-ai (ai-ai-ai-ai)
Ai-ai-ai-ai (ai-ai-ai-ai)
Ai-ai-ai-ai
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Wiki:

"South of the Border" is a popular song describing a trip to Mexico, written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr and published in 1939 for the film of the same name starring country star Gene Autry.[1]

In the lyrics, a man looks back with regret and pain for having lied to the woman he can't forget ("...and now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray...") and returned for too late, just as she was preparing for marriage. The lyric is in juxtaposition with the music, which swings with syncopated joy.

The song was a hit in 1939 for Shep Fields, vocal by Hal Derwin. It has been recorded by many artists, but the best-known versions are by Autry and Frank Sinatra (1953). The song was recorded in August 1961 by Patsy Cline for her album Patsy Cline Showcase and appears on Herb Alpert's 1964 album South of the Border.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• South
• of
• the
• Border
• Down
• Mexico
• Way
• Kennedy
• Carr
• Republic
• 1939
• Gene
• Autry

[Georgewos]

I just listened to Your posting of The Last Roundup.

[RReady555]

Thanks, George--Autry gave us some suberb American classics...

Best,

-RR

[terrygrif]

Love this song RR and not only because it was composed by an Irishman. LOL Gene Autry had a special voice. Thanks for posting this great old song.

Greetings from Ireland.

Terry.

[RReady555]

Glad to oblige, Terry. Ask director John Ford--many of the greatest cowboys were Irish. ;)

Yuletide regards,

-RR

[guitarmanaruna]

Dear RReady555,

Many thanks for uploading this wonderful version by late grate Gene Autry.....!!!!

-Aruna

[RReady555]

You're profoundly welcome, Aruna...Gene knew how it was done. ;)

Happy trails,

-RR

[fordman4444]

Gene was my 3rd cousin,my Dad was Chick Autry-catcher for the yankees,whitesox and Cle. Indians. I wasn't at the reunion. TomAutry

[willy350z]

This must be the original recording, and it's wonderful!!100GS!!Will

[TheHarmonicWheel]

So Great! Fantastic! Wonderful. So fine!

[samusic160]

My dad told me about how my great grandad use to play this during the second world war on the mandoline. Sadly he got his hand crushed by a boat and couldn't play anymore :( however we still have the exact mandoline and some day i hope to be able to play this song as a tribute to him :).

[JPGRism]

this just reminds me of ringo <3

[ftballfrk]

Tony Soprano teeing off . . . .

bahahahahahahha

[Nojnotpu]

This is wonderful. However, does anyone lament the hijacking of the word "gay" which is used in this song in it's correct context, meaning happy.

[albertnedjo]

I like Tjia Songkhla. Remind me when I was in Mexico long time ago.

[wtf66611]

Could someone please post the instrumental version of this great song by Arthur Murray.

[FrischluftMetaler]

Reminds me to Fallout

[greennose3]

South of the Border , Down Mexico Way... <3

[alanjellie]

I'm only here because of tony soprano