The first time we met, I lit a cigarette in a dive bar in downtown TJ
I ordered two shots
Dropped a dime in the jukebox
And played Life By The Drop by Stevie Ray
She was 18 years old, young and out of control
A Catholic school girl with ruby red lips
With that she pulled me close
Said, "Baby let's toast to meeting you in a place like this"
Oh, Bella, Maria
Was raised in East LA
My Spanish rose from Mexico
Who stole my heart in TJ
The years have gone by
But from time to time, I still think of that night we shared
The last I heard she'd been married, divorced
Livin' not too far from here
Then one day in the Cuban café, I spotted those ruby red lips
She said, "I'll be your waitress today"
What's the chances of me seeing you in a place like this?
Oh, Bella, Maria
Was raised in East LA
My Spanish rose from Mexico
Who stole my heart in TJ
Oh, Bella, Maria
Was raised in East LA
My Spanish rose from Mexico
Who stole my heart in TJ
In a rundown church out on the edge of town
Maria was dressed in white
She had flowers in her hair
The congregation stared as an angel walked down the aisle
Right there in God's house we exchanged our vows
And sealed the deal with a kiss
With that I pulled her close
Said, who would have known we'd be meeting in a place like this?
Oh, Bella, Maria
Was raised in East LA
My Spanish rose from Mexico
Who stole my heart in TJ
My Spanish rose from Mexico
My Spanish rose from Mexico
My Spanish rose from Mexico
Who stole my heart in TJ