In old Mexico I stand on the square in Matamoros
Round a plaza 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 what I feel is mine in Matamoros
And there'll be bad trouble if I catch her cheating on me

Streets are narrow and dark and tequila runs free in Matamoros
I stopped for one moment outside at Miguel's swinging doors
My heart breaks to hear the same haunting sounds of Granada
She once called it our song and vowed she'd 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 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

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 dim lit casinos
Of the raven haired beauty who for her love lay 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