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 3Life By The Drop2 by Stevie Ray

She was eighteen 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 married divorced
Livin' not too far from here
Then one day in the Cuban caf?
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

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 know
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