South of the Border

Gene Autry

About South of the Border

"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. 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 far too late, to discover she had become a nun. 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. Other successful recordings in 1939 were by Guy Lombardo, Gene Autry, Ambrose (vocal by Denny Dennis) and Tony Martin. Frank Sinatra recorded the song on April 30, 1953 for Capitol Records and it reached the Billboard charts with a top position of #18 in a 4-week stay. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. 


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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 vision in old Spanish lace
Just for a tender while, I kissed the smile upon her face
For it was fiesta and we were so gay
South of the border, down Mexico way

Then she smiled 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 candle light, she knelt to pray
But the mission bells told me, that I mustn't stay
South of the border, down Mexico way

Ay ay ay ay, ay ay ay ay
Ay ay ay ay, ay ay ay ay

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Gene Autry

Orvon Grover Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. Autry was also owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. more »

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Written by: GENE AUTRY

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"South of the Border" is a popular song describing a trip to Mexico, getting a serenade, and then deciding to stay. It was written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr for the 1939 film of the same name starring Gene Autry.
Gene Autry
Gene Autry, known as "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy," recorded a version of "South of the Border." He is one of the most famous early country music stars and was instrumental in making the genre popular in the mainstream.
Different Versions
Apart from Autry, the song has been covered by a myriad of artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Chris Isaak, and Willie Nelson, to name a few.
Shep Fields
The song was also a hit for Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm orchestra in 1939. Fields was known for his "rippling" style which he discovered when he dropped a stack of dishes causing a 'rippling' sound.
Film Connection
The song was featured in the movie "South of the Border," which was Gene Autry's sixth feature film.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics of the song tell an intriguing tale of romance and adventure, describing a trip that starts as a leisure journey but ends in a stayed love affair south of the border.
Chart Performance
"South of the Border" was a chart hit in 1939. Although the exact peak positions are not available due to pre-date of Billboard chart, it was widely popular among listeners.
Cultural Influence
"South of the Border" has had a notable influence on popular culture, featured in numerous films, TV, and even in a marketing campaign for Pace Picante Sauce during the 1980s.
Hollywood Connection
Gene Autry was the first major movie star to use his influence to support the fledgling music industry, helping the transition of country music from its rural roots to be mainstreamed into American popular culture. His rendition of "South of the Border" is one example of this crossover.
Song Style
The song is crafted in a traditional Mexican corrido ballad style, which adds to the overall narrative and helps transport the listener to the titular location.

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