When they begin, begin the beguine,
It brings back the sound of music so tender.
It brings back a night of tropical splendor.
It brings back a memory evergreen.

I'm with you once more, I'm with you under the stars,
Under the stars.
And down by the shore an orchestra's playin'.
And even the palms seem to be swayin', oh swayin',
When they begin, when they begin the beguine.

To live it again is past all endeavor,
Is past all endeavor.
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
Clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.

What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted.
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well, I know too well what they mean.
Too well what they mean.

So let them begin, begin the beguine.
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember.
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember,
When they begin the beguine.

Oh, yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play,
Till the stars that were there before return above you.
Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you!"
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in,
When they begin, begin the beguine.

Begin beguine.
Begin beguine.
Begin beguine.
Dada dadada da-da da-da la-dada-dat.
Begin the beguine.