The Blue Danube Waltz

Original Title:  An der schönen blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube)

The Danube River (Donau in German) may be slate gray, faintly green or brown—with luck, silvery—but never blue, it seems. Admirably, however, it was blau to Johann Strauss the Younger when he composed this "second national anthem of Austria" in 1867. Written by a hack, the first lyrics to it never gained acceptance. Since then the catchy, stirring music has inspired lyrics of all sorts, from charming and poetic to burlesque and indecent.

At a concert of light music in Vienna's beautiful Stadtgarten on the afternoon that Strauss died, a note was handed up to the conductor and quickly passed around to the members of the orchestra. After an unprogrammed pause, with no preamble and but a slight nod from the conductor, the strings began to softly play the shimmering introduction to The Waltz. Those present realized at once that their ailing beloved King of Waltz had passed away.

This brief comment is given in lieu of any not totally satisfactory lyrics. Just hum it. Da dum da dum ta dum.... Let your lively lyrical feet gracefully write romantic riverine steps for you. Squish slip slide, slosh slip slide....

Oh, well... There are times when I just can't hack it, but give my try below a try. Then judge for yourself whether it's passable or risible. At least, like no other lyrics, it alludes to the Vienna Woods, Salzburg (with a salute to The Sound of Music), and the fact that the Austrians (with help from Poland) stopped Muslim invaders at the gates of Vienna, for which all Europeans and their descendants in other lands are eternally indebted and grateful.



Blue Danube Waltz...
The Blue Danube Waltz, (Blue Danube Waltz)
As airy and light (airy and light)
As swallows in flight (swallows in flight).

So rhythmic for two (rhythmic for two),
For sweet lissome you (your partner too),
And awesome and fullsome love blossoms
As twosomes glide along.

|:Glide, slide, whirl and twirl,
Bouyant as boys and girls.
Sparkle, gleam 'n dream, glow and glitter!
Show off your ever dazzling, stunning repertoire,
Radiant as comets blazing from afar.:|

|:Come, step along with me,
Just as pretty as you please—
Pleasing as a gentle breeze
Whispering softly through the leaves
Of fabled Vienna Woods trees.:|

Come aboard this pleasure boat now with me,
Let's go upstream to Salzburg and see
Those belovèd hills with the sound of music alive,
So alive to every enraptured ear and eye.

Come, step along with me,
Just as pretty as you please—
Pleasing as a gentle breeze
Fluttering the Vienna Woods'
Venerated fall leaves.

Stand with me now where
The gates of Vienna once stood,
And its heroic defenders
Mercilous foes steadfastly withstood
Who treacherously slaughtered all those
Who dared their barbaric jihad oppose.
Halt! Back off! Your ungodly tyranny ends here!

Oh, glorious Vienna, we
Do so gratefully cherish thee,
For, thanks to thee, we
And our dear children are free—
To sing, to dance, and to think for ourselves,
Like flowers to thrive and flourish,

Vivace
By the great blue Danube nourished,
Never to wilt and die when like pure gold,
God's gift to us of freedom is burnished
And hearts and minds never grow too old
|:Unceasingly and forever and ever
To treasure all that's good to behold.
Forever and ever und auf immer. Amen.:|

Lyrics by Wendell H. Hall

Anonymous midi. If known, would give credit where due.