**[Verse 1]** At eighteen she was the fairest in town, But beauty wasn't all she had. Never drunk, never vulgar, never loud, Always class, always a joyful laugh. The girls all wanted to stand by her side, The boys all dreamed that she would be theirs. "Gipsy Eyes", "Cleopatra", "Mariska Veres" - everyone knew who she was. But she... she chose me. Of all the boys and men around her, She chose me. (She chose me) (She chose me) And suddenly everyone Bought me a drink as well - 'Cause I was standing by her side. **[Verse 2]** She studied hard, So proud of what she did, Life seemed to smile on her. "You're way too serious, I want to live a little first," she said - And then she left me for a while. Almost a whole school year She drank her freedom to the full. But deep inside she always knew: That kind of life could never last. And so she came back to me. She'd start again, she'd learn anew, The parties were through. But in August fate struck hard: A bridge, a crash - And nothing was ever the same. **[Chorus - softer]** I stayed with her. I stayed with her. Through every night, through every pain. When she no longer could believe She'd ever be beautiful again. I stayed with her. (I stayed with her) And she stayed with me. **[Verse 3]** Scars and pain, a fight against death. Her dreams just slipped right through her hands. "It will pass," I told myself, "She'll be just like before again." And so we started life as one: I her husband, she my wife. But it didn't pass. (It didn't pass) And having a child Was not granted to us. Till fourteen years later, Tamara, our little miracle, was born. For thirteen years I saw My Arlette happy again. But when she heard What had been done to her girl - Then her heart broke in pain. (Then her heart broke) (Then she broke completely) **** Many years later She slowly rose again. She grew softer, wiser, stronger. No longer the girl of eighteen - But a woman more beautiful within.[Bridge] She chose to be good. She chose to be loving and wise. She chose peace, Even when life gave her no peace. **** My Arlette... The most beautiful in the world. My beloved, my wife. Of all the people in the world, I choose you, again and again.[Chorus] And if there's one thing I can keep From all the years that have gone by: You chose me. And I chose you. And so it will forever be. (I will always keep loving you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) (I love you) **(Spoken)** Arlette, I love you I love you so very much. Arlette, I love you so very much.
