Written by: Cole Porter
From the Album: Portraits From The Past
From the Show: Jubilee
(1935)
Label: Columbia Records
Recorded: February 24, 1946
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Frank: A tune from Cole Porter perhaps.
Now there's a guy who writes for keeps.
His tunes not only
become hits, they stay
hits. Begin the Beguine was written in
1935, and it's still very popular.
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
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 come 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, 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 the beguine
When they begin the beguine.