In old Mexico I stand on the square in Matamoros

Round a Plazza the couples were walking to music so sweet

I've found my love not too long ago in Matamoros

But I'm feeling low as the beggar who sits in the street

All the promises that she made me with eyes black as midnight

How could I know how fickle her promise would be

Now I'm back to find for I feel is mine in Matamoros

And there'll be bad trouble if I catch her cheating on me



Streets're narrow and dark and tequilla runs free in Matamoros

I stopped for one moment outside at Maguel's swinging doors

My heart breaks to hear the same haunting sounds of Granada

She once called it our song and vowed should be mine evermore

Then across the square went this wild young bracero I see her

Laughing and dancing and tossing her raven black hair

They'd may take a hand when I face this man from Matamoros

For the love of my woman is one thing that I'll never share

[ guitar ]

Now I walk in the night far away from the lights of Matamoros

And recall the last moments when I knew she loved me more than life

I can still hear her cry I love you and I'll prove it Manana

Then seeing my danger she jumped in front of his knife

I know the stories they'll tell in dimly casinos

Of the raven haired beauty who for her love laid dead on the floor

They'll speak of the fight with the gringo that night in Matamoros

And wonder what happened for he never returned anymore oh oh hoo