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.
Duration : 0:2:44
[youtube uZYPa6tI43Q]
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
@HarborGuy – I’ve …
@HarborGuy – I’ve made 500 playlists of great music like this to share with everyone – 350 artists from around the world and 111 lists for every year since 1900. This is now on my 1939 playlist. Listen as if you’ve stepped back in time ! !
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I remember it well …
I remember it well as a youth on radio, thanks.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
my mom used to play …
my mom used to play this song when i came home from school or on a hot summer night …
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Gene Autry our …
Gene Autry our favorite singing cowboy. He sang so many “first” hits. A good person too. Still watch his movies on TV
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Lovely old song …
Lovely old song Jimmy Kennedy never went south of the border!!!
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
@fordman4444 Chick …
@fordman4444 Chick played for the Reds, what are you saying here? He was a utlity inf and outfielder!
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
oh the memories
oh the memories
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
@gallonsofmilk …. …
@gallonsofmilk ….Huh… ?
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
This must be the …
This must be the original recording, and it’s wonderful!!100GS!!Will
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the upload!!
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
The opening line of …
The opening line of this song reminds of the episode of the Sopranos which Tony sings it to taunt Uncle Jun LOL
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Gene Autrey was in …
Gene Autrey was in the Army Air Force and I was stationed with one of his best buddies. In the late 1940’s and I had the chance to see him on tour. Thanks for bringing up his history. I love all your classic music especially “The Ink Spots”.
jtsharpe1928
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Gene was my 3rd …
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
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Ha? First time i …
Ha? First time i hear for that band.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
95% of the teens in …
95% of the teens in the world would be in a panic if Miley Cyrus was going to jump off the Empire State building. Copy and paste if your part of the 5% who brought popcorn and invited friends over.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
wow gene autry was …
wow gene autry was my great great uncle. theres a lot of ppl on youtube trying to claim their related to him then why the werent they at the machen autry reunion last summer? Sorry im just really offended.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
En México, güey….
En México, güey….
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Thanks for sharing …
Thanks for sharing this with us. I just bought an old 78 record today with Autry singing “A Year Ago Tonight” and “I’ll Never Let You Go” on the reverse. Funny, I couldn’t find those songs here on the ‘Tube.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Remember this from …
Remember this from Gene’s radio show thank you again………5 Stars….
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Thanks, George– …
Thanks, George–Autry gave us some suberb American classics…
Best,
-RR
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I just listened to …
I just listened to Your posting of The Last Roundup.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Glad to oblige, …
Glad to oblige, Terry. Ask director John Ford–many of the greatest cowboys were Irish.
Yuletide regards,
-RR
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Love this song RR …
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.
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
You’re profoundly …
You’re profoundly welcome, Aruna…Gene knew how it was done.
Happy trails,
-RR
April 28th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Dear RReady555,
…
Dear RReady555,
Many thanks for uploading this wonderful version by late grate Gene Autry…..!!!!
-Aruna