Bill Thull Orchestra's 50th Anniversary album

A beer, a sandwich and you (waltz)

Jan 26, 2024

What I love most about digging into Wisconsin polka records is the joy of discovery. It amazes me how one record leads to a deeper appreciation of the next. This weeks’ album of the week is a perfect example.

A Ray Konkol record I bought in January 2021 at Strictly Discs had a song called “A Beer, a Sandwich and You.” It’s the cutest instrumental waltz. It’s short, clocking in at 1:29. I play it at all of my gigs.

Fast forward to last year when I stumbled across a copy of Bill Thull’s Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary album which had a version of the “Beer and a Sandwich'' waltz. This version — to my DELIGHT — has WORDS. I was thrilled to learn the words to a song I’ve played so many times before.

A little about Bill Thull. He was born on January 31, 1923 in St. Michaels, Wisconsin. He was a proud farmer who didn’t stray far from Kewaskum. He hosted dairy breakfasts and was featured in National Geographic. He played polka masses and was an enthusiastic player of sheepshead. He was a member of the Wisconsin Orchestra Association, Polka Boosters and the We Love to Dance club, and was inducted in the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame.

Music was a family business too. He started playing music in 1935 with his brother Jack. You’ll find the names of his children on his albums, including his sons, Mike, Denis (who was 12 on the first album) and Ralph, plus daughter Kathy under her married name, Wagner. Daughter Eileen is listed on Bill’s obit as Eileen Kuether… wife of

Bob (Robert) Kuether, another familiar polka name.

Happy heavenly birthday, Bill. I hope the beer and sandwiches are even tastier on the other side.

Your assignment:

Listen to the Bernie Roberts and Blondie version of the song and learn the words. Sing along when you hear the album of the week on Polka Time! THIS SONG IS SO DARN CUTE.

Lyrics: A Beer and a Sandwich Waltz

A beer and a sandwich and you by my side

I ask, “what more can there be?”

I first take two sips and I kiss your sweet lips

Oh joy, you’re heaven to me

The music and laughter and lights burning low

The night is still young and my heart’s all aglow

The stars in your eyes like the good, mellow brew

A toast to dreams that come true!

With love on my mind I just know I can’t hide

The love that you bring to me

A beer and a sandwich and you by my side

I ask, “what more can there be?”

Listen to this week’s episode of Polka Time with DJ Shotski to hear the “Beer and a Sandwich” waltz by the Bill Thull Orchestra as well as his rendition of the “Minniehaha Polka.” The show will air live on 98.7 FM WVMO on Sunday, January 28. Tune in on your terrestrial dial in Monona or on Madison’s east side. It will rebroadcast on participating stations the following weekend.

All stations stream on the web at the links below. All times CST.