Begin the Beguine

by The Andrews Sisters

The Andrews Sisters were a highly successful close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Angelyn Andrews (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and mezzo-soprano P…

Year: 1977

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 playing 
And even the palms seem to be swaying, oh swaying
When they begin the beguine

To live again is past all endeavor, is past all endeavor
Except 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 just what they mean, too well what they mean

So don't 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, begin
Begin, begin
Begin, begin
Begin the beguine