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 [bad word] 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