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When they begin the beguine, |
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It brings back the sound of music so tender, |
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It brings back the night of tropical splendour, |
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It brings back a memory evergreen! |
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I'm with you once more under the stars, |
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And down by the shore an orchestra's playin' |
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Even the palms seems to be swayin' |
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When they begin the beguine! |
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To live it again is past all endeavour, |
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Except when that tune clutches my heart, |
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And there we are swearin' to love forever, |
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And promising never, never to part! |
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What moments divine, what raptures serene, |
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'Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted . . . |
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Now, when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted, |
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I know but too well what they mean! |
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So, don't let them begin the beguine, |
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Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember . . . |
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Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember, |
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When they begin the beguine! |
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Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play! |
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'Till the stars that were there before return above you, |
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'Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you!" |
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And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in, |
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When they begin the beguine! |
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When they begin . . . the beguine! |
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~ from the 1935 Stage musical "Jubilee" |
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Words and Music by Cole Porter |
