Sing-a-long to two of Wisconsin’s favorites

Learn the lyrics of our official state waltz and our unofficial state theme song

Apr 19, 2024

Everyone knows how to roll out the barrel. But do you know the words to our official state waltz? And what’s a tararrel anyway? Get ready to learn the words and sing along when I play the Wisconsin Waltz and the Beer Barrel Polka.

WISCONSIN STATE WALTZ

The state legislature adopted The Wisconsin Waltz in 2001. The music and lyrics were written by Ethwell “Eddy” Hansen of Waupaca and popularized by polka band leader Lawrence Duchow.

Lyrics

Music from heaven throughout the years;

The beautiful Wisconsin Waltz

Favorite song of the pioneers;

The beautiful Wisconsin Waltz.

Song of my heart on that last final day,

When it is time to lay me away.

One thing I ask is to let them play

The beautiful Wisconsin Waltz.

My sweetheart, my complete heart,

It's for you when we dance together;

The beautiful Wisconsin Waltz.

I remember that September,

Before love turned into an ember,

We danced to the Wisconsin Waltz.

Summer ended, we intended that

our lives then would both be blended,

But somehow our planning got lost.

Memory now sings a dream song,

a faded love theme song;

The beautiful Wisconsin Waltz.

WISCONSIN’S FAVORITE POLKA

While it’s not our official state polka dance, the Beer Barrel Polka encourages people to get up and dance at University of Wisconsin “Fifth Quarter” post-game celebrations and during the seventh inning stretch at Milwaukee Brewer games. Everyone can learn how to roll out the barrel with these classic lyrics.

Playing this version is only slightly cheating on the 100% Wisconsin artists playlist I have for this episode. This Polkaland Records supergroup is composed of Louie Bashell (Milwaukee, accordion), Joe “Zilch” Potzner (Milwaukee, tuba), Valentine Kujawa (Milwaukee, drums), Bob Karnes (organ, Kujawa's son and it was his idea to get the recording artists together), Gene Heier (Manitowoc, saxophone), and our weekly favorite Romy Gosz (Manitowoc, trumpet). You’ll also hear the famous Clevelanders Frankie Yankovic on accordion and Georgie Cook on banjo.

Lyrics

Roll out the barrel, We'll have a barrel of fun

Roll out the barrel, we've got the blues on the run

Zing Boom Tararrel

Join in a glass of good cheer

Now it's time to roll the barrel

For the gang's all here

Vinylthon Two-hour Polka Time Special

April 20-21, 98.7 WVMO

Polka Time with DJ Shotski 30 Years of Polka special, Sunday April 21, 6-8 p.m.

The vinylthon episode of Polka Time with DJ Shotski will start at 6 p.m. for a TWO HOUR SHOW packed with the vintage polka you expect, PLUS hear a very Wisconsiny hour of 100% Badger State bands and ‘Sconnie'-themed songs starting at 7 p.m.