January 1, 2024
This one is about a song. Yes, a song. It’s “Begin the Beguine.”
Let’s start with the word beguine. Webster claims it is a Roman Catholic religious order of sisterhoods founded in the 12th centurywho devoted themselves to charity and good work that included providing refuge for women left widowed or unmarried by the loss of men during the Crusades. But it is also defined as a native dance of the island of Martinique, later popularized by the black community in the United States
Here’s something I dug out of the literature on the song itself. It was reportedly written by Cole Porter on a Pacific cruise ship during the summer of 1935. Later that year, it became part of a Broadway musical “Jubilee,” and closed soon after its opening. However, it didn’t die, although a reviewer claimed the song would be more appropriately titled “End the Beguine.” Two years later, the song resurfaced thanks to Arthur Jacob Arshowsky, aka Artie Shaw. It became a best-selling record that year, peaking at No. 3, while skyrocketing Shaw and his band from obscurity to fame and popularity. This recording became one of the most famous and popular of the entire “Swing Era.” There were subsequent releases by all the major big bands, including Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, often as an instrumental. As a vocal song, it was Frank Sinatra, Ann-Margaret, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, Elvis Presley, and the one and only Julio Iglesias. Iglesias recorded a captivating Spanish version of “Begin the Beguine,” titled “Volver a Empezar.” Go to YouTube to hear many of these versions of the song, but particularly Julio’s.
Over the years, I had three favorite songs.
- “Someday Soon” (Judy Collins). I’ve had the song occasionally sung to me by Mary O’Dowd, the beautiful legendary Irish folk singer.
- “Heat Wave” (The Sherels).
- “So Tired” (Russ Morgan). Morgan was another Swing Era band leader; it was his only hit around the mid-1940s.
Two years ago, I heard BtB again after a lapse of several decades and… well… it is now also one of my favorites. Here are Porter’s lyrics to my new found gem.
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, 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.
Perhaps, the lyrics sound corny to some. But not when you hear it with the accompanying music. It really is something special, particularly with Artie Shaw and his clarinet. Do yourself a favor and listen to any or all of the various versions. You won’t be disappointed. It will place you in a romantic tropical setting, much like the classic “Bali Ha’i” from the play/movie South Pacific (and my favorite novel of all times – Michener’s first writing endeavor that recounted his experiences during WWII’s war scenes in the South Pacific).
While cabaret-ing with the Queen, my last two requests of a band/group for BtB resulted in something to the effect that “we never heard of it.” That may have been the driving force behind my writing this article.
Note: The December 5 book signing event (“Winning at Casinos”) at the Village of East Williston Library was a success. Mary picked up the tab at the reception that followed at Sputino’s Restaurant in Williston Park. It’s fair to say that a good time was had by all. Thanks to those of you who attended and/or purchased a book ($9.00 on Amazon).
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