When they 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 ever green.
I'm with you once more under the stars,
And down by the shore, an orchestra's playing;
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine.
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.
What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Til clouds came along to disperse the joy we had tasted;
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well what they mean.
So don't let them 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,
Til the stars that were there before return above you,
Til you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you."
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in
When they begin the beguine,
When they begin the beguine.