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.
Just for a tender while
I kissed the smile a-pon her face.
'Cause 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"
'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 down to pray.
The mission bells told me that I shouldn'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.
Ai-ai-ai-ai (ai-ai-ai-ai)
Ai-ai-ai-ai (ai-ai-ai-ai)
Ai-ai-ai-ai