westphalia waltz

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 2 Oct 2003 1:57 pm

Looking for info on this.
It was one of the first pieces I learned to play way back when.
Is it in the public domain?
If not, who wrote it?
I have seen it marked on tab as "P.D./Collins"

JW

Dave Burr · Post by **Dave Burr** » 2 Oct 2003 2:06 pm

Winnie,

Here's a little info I found doing a web search.
http://www.texasoldtimefiddlers.org/Monthly%20Over%20the%20Waves.htm

Respectfully,
Dave Burr

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Oct 2003 2:50 pm

So...then, "P.D." signifies the song is in the public domain, and that particular arrangement of the song was by Cotton Collins.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 2 Oct 2003 4:29 pm

It's credited to "O. B. Collins" on the new Randy Beavers CD.

Tom Vollmer · Post by **Tom Vollmer** » 4 Oct 2003 6:20 pm

Winnie,My dad had a band in Reading Pa.,in the late 30,s.They had a daily broadcast on WEEU&WRAW.The themesong was a waltz that my Dad learned from an Polish immigrent . He played an instrument as I can recall with a great number of strings.It laid on his lap and it was played with a pair of soft mallets maybe like a mirimba.About 10 years later when I started playing steel I bought a Bud Issac (I think it was Bud,s record)and to my surprise the tune Westphalia Waltz was the exact tune my Dad had played and taught me.I believe Westphalia is today a province in Germany, but may been in Poland as the European boundries have shifted over the years.Hope this info helps.TV

R. E. Klaus · Post by **R. E. Klaus** » 5 Oct 2003 1:15 pm

My favorite version of Westphalia Waltz is on an old MSA demo record from the early 70's. I do not remember who the steelest was. Mr. Anderson, could you refresh my memory?
R.E. Klaus

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 5 Oct 2003 3:29 pm

Bud Issacs performed this song in a fine style doing both the song and himself a great deal of respect. Simple....but nice.

Jim Vogan · Post by **Jim Vogan** » 5 Oct 2003 5:13 pm

I heard Randy Beavers play this song in Fairborn, Ohio at Chubby's show this afternoon. Fantastic!

------------------
Jim Vogan
Carter D10, 8&5 with BCT
G.D. Walker Stereo Steel Combo
Bakelite Ric
Hilton volume pedal

Buddie Hrabal · Post by **Buddie Hrabal** » 5 Oct 2003 8:47 pm

I was able to get some information for you, "Westphalia Waltz" was written by Cotton Collins, Published by Century Songs and licensed by BMI.
Hope that helps

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 6 Oct 2003 3:44 am

R.E., the steeler playing "Westphalia Waltz" on the demo you mentioned was Tom Bradshaw, who also published a tab for it.

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 6 Oct 2003 2:04 pm

Thanks everyone.
I have a sense that this is a very old PD song from Westphalia (Germany) that was done by Cotton Collins, who claimed credit for writing it.
Which brings up the whole question of authorship...
When I was doing "Pedal Steel Guitar" I put in "Great Speckled Bird" and said it was a PD song. I then found out there are many who claim to have authored it. It is in both the BMI and ASCAP catalogues.
The explanation I got from my legal council was that the song was in the public domain, and each person who recorded it claimed authorship. They dare not contest each other's claim because if it went to court, it would be found to be PD and then all would have to quit claims.
I guess the same case applies to Westphalia Waltz.
And, Yes. It was Tom Bradshaw who did it on the "Hey Reece I did it!" demo. It was 4 tunes with tab.

JW

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 6 Oct 2003 4:11 pm

Well i'll tell ya,i've heard that song played
by a lot of people,but Randy Beavers has the
best cut of it i ever did hear to date.
---------------------------------------------
Fred Justice,
SWSGA

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 6 Oct 2003 4:13 pm

Winnie, the story I heard was that it was written by a musician in Springfield, MO (whose name I have long since forgotten, but he played and sang with Slim Wilson and his nephew Speedy Hallworth (sp), all of whom used to do live music on station KWTO there in the 40s). Reportedly sold rights to it for $25. Maybe some of the long timers around southwest Missouri will remember the name.