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 evergreen I'm with you once more under the stars And down by the shore An orchestra's playing And even the palms they 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 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 amber Let it sleep like a dead desire I only remember When they begin the beguine Oh, yes, let them begin the beguine Make them play Till the stars that we met before Return above you Till you whisper to me once more Darling, I love you And we suddenly know what heaven we're in Yes, when they begin the beguine When they begin the beguine When they begin the beguine Let the love that was once a fire Remain an amber Let it sleep like a dead desire I only remember When they begin the beguine