My World 3 - Old Danube

(Photo taken while I was at the U1 train, one afternoon)

Johann Strauss II, composed one of his classics, An der schönen blauen Donau (opus 314), in 1867. Originally performed 9 February 1867 at a concert of the Wiener Männergesangsverein (Vienna Men's Choral Association), it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire.

The waltz originally had an accompanying song text written by Josef Weyl. But the instrumental version is most commonly played today.

"The Beautiful Blue Danube" was first written as a song for a carnival's choir (for bass and tenor), with rather satirical lyrics (Austria having just lost the war with Germany). The original title was also referring to a poem about the Danube in the poet Karl Beck's hometown, Baja in Hungary, and not in Vienna. Later Franz von Gernerth wrote new, more "official-sounding" lyrics.

(Though on this day the Danube is not particularly blue but gray...-afternoon sun-)

Donau so blau, so schön und blau, durch Tal und Au wogst ruhig du hin, dich grüßt unser Wien, dein silbernes Band. knüpft Land an Land und fröhliche Herzen schlagen an deinem schönen Strand. Weit vom Schwarzwald her eilst du hin zum Meer, spendest Segen allerwegen, Ostwärts geht dein Lauf, nimmst viel Bruder auf: Bild der Einigkeit für alle Zeit! Alte Burgen Seh'n nieder von den Höh'n, grüssen gerne dich von ferne und der Berge Kranz, hell vom Morgen glanz, spiegelt sich in deiner Wellen Tanz. Die Nixen auf dem Grund, die geben's flüsternd kund, was alles du erschaut, seit dem über dir der Himmel blaut. Drum schon in alter Zeit ward dir manch Lied geweiht; und mit dem hellsten Klang preist immer auf's Neu dich unser Sang. Halt an deine Fluten bei Wien, es liebt dich ja so sehr! Du findest, wohin du magst zieh'n, ein zweites Wien nicht mehr! Hier quillt aus voller Brust der Zauber heit'rer Lust, und treuer, deutscher Sinn streut aus seine Saat von hier weithin.

Danube so blue, so bright and blue, through vale and field you flow so calm, our Vienna greets you, you silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores. Far from the Black Forest you hurry to the sea giving your blessing to everything. Eastward you flow, welcoming your brothers, A picture of peace for all time! Old castles looking down from high, greet you smiling from their steep and craggy hilltops, and the mountains' vistas mirror in your dancing waves. The mermaids from the riverbed, whispering as you flow by, are heard by everything under the blue sky above. The noise of your passing is a song from old times and with the brightest sounds your song leads you ever on. Stop your tides at Vienna, it loves you so much! Whenever you might look you will find nowhere like Vienna! Here pours a full chest the charms of happy wishes, and heartfelt German wishes are flown away on your waters.

Join us as we travel around our own world and also see the world around this meme, My World, You'll surely enjoy this as much as you enjoy Sky Watch Friday!