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

When they begin the, begin the, begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine


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Begin the Beguine Lyrics as written by Cole Porter

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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    My Interpretation

    A famous song, but I had never looked at the lyrics before - they are beautiful! It seems to be along the lines of 'As Time Goes By' in Casablanca, where the guy doesn't want to hear the song again because it reminds him of the pain of a lost love but is torn as he then wants to hear it again to rekindle the love ..... perhaps in his dreams.

    Interesting Wiki page on the history of the song and its unusual construction. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begin_the_Beguine

    Sunnyhillon July 05, 2013   Link

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