This popular waltz, usually played in G Major, is widely attributed to Cotton Collins, a Texas fiddler and member of the Lone Star Playboys from Waco, Texas. Collins brought the band a nameless waltz based on a melody that he memorized while stationed in Germany in WWII, and the tune became one of the Playboys’ most requested numbers. After playing this waltz at a dance in the German-Texan community of Westphalia, Texas, (about 35 miles south of Waco) it was suggested that it be titled the “Westphalia Waltz." The waltz was copyrighted by Cotton Collins with that name, and the Playboys recorded it in 1946 on Blue Bonnet Record, a 1940's country label from Dallas, Texas.

In 1955, the very popular country and western swing band, Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys, recorded the instrumental on Capitol Records, and with Capitol’s national distribution, “Westphalia Waltz” became widely known across the country. Note that the Lone Star Playboys worked as an early road and backing band for budding country star Hank Thompson, but they parted ways after a West Coast tour in 1949.

Various researchers have reported that the melody for “Westphalia” is associated with a humorously risqué drinking song called "Pytala Sie Pani" (what (she) asked/said), an old and well-known Polish song. The melody is also known as The Dreamy Fish Waltz, and Wszystkie Rybki (all the little fish). Documentary film producer Joe Weed has traced “Westphalia” from its Polish folk origins in the 1920’s to its circulation in the 1930’s in the northern United States in his well-researched DVD “Westphalia Waltz Story”.

Here is (one version of) the translation of the lyrics to “Pytala Sie Pani” (video below): 

A lady is asking a young doctor

Is it better to give in the morning or better at night

At night it's great to give so that you can sleep better

And then repeat in the morning, so that it will be well remembered

Chorus:

All the fish are in the lake

My old lady can sleep no more

And you, old man play your guitar

Do not bother (with) a second performance

Pytala Sie Pani Waltz

Pan Franek, Zosia and The Polka Towners

2015