Originally performed on 15 February 1867[1][2] at a concert of the Wiener Männergesang-Verein (Vienna Men's Choral Association),[2] it has been one of the most consistently popular pieces of music in the classical repertoire.

[4] Strauss adapted it into a purely orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World's Fair, and it became a great success in this form.

[citation needed] The coda recalls earlier sections (3A and 2A) before furious chords usher in a recap of the romantic Waltz 4A.

This statement is also cut short, however, by the final codetta: a variation of 1A is presented, featuring a dialogue with the trilling Flutes, the strings, and the quiet sounding horns, connecting to a rushing eighth-note passage in the final few bars: repeated tonic chords underlined by a snare drum roll and a bright-sounding flourish.

The "Beautiful Blue Danube" was first written as a song for a carnival choir (for bass and tenor), with rather satirical lyrics (Austria having just lost a war with Prussia).

Weit vom Schwarzwald her eilst du hin zum Meer, spendest Segen allerwegen, ostwärts geht dein Lauf, nimmst viel Brüder auf: Bild der Einigkeit für alle Zeit!

Drum schon in alter Zeit ward dir manch' Lied geweiht; und mit dem hellsten Klang preist immer auf's Neu' dich unser Sang.

D'rum laßt uns einig sein, schliesst Brüder, fest den Reih'n, froh auch in trüber Zeit, Mut, wenn Gefahr uns dräut, Heimat am Donaustrand, bist uns'rer Herzen Band, dir sei für alle Zeit Gut und Blut geweiht!

Das Schifflein fährt auf den Wellen so sacht, still ist die Nacht, die Liebe nur wacht, der Schiffer flüstert der Liebsten ins Ohr, daß längst schon sein Herz sie erkor.

Junges Blut, frischer Muth, o wie glücklich macht, dem vereint ihr lacht!

Lieb und Lust schwellt die Brust, hat das Größte in der Welt vollbracht.

Und zum Schluß bringt noch einen Gruß uns'rer lieben Donau dem herrlichen Fluß.

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 boat travels on the waves so softly, quiet is the night, love watching only the sailor whispers in the lover's ear, that his heart long ago she owned.

Now sing a cheerful and blessed song, the jubilation as the air permeates echoed loudly by the heart and tie a band around us.

Free and faithful in song and deed, Bring a height to Vienna city bought it on the new full glory and conquered with force.

[7] A condensed version of the piece was used in the Warner Bros. Merrie Melody 1943 animated short, A Corny Concerto's second segment featuring a young Daffy Duck trying to join a family of white swans, but is treated with complete disdain by the mother swan as being unworthy throughout the short as the "ugly duckling" until he bravely saves her three cygnets from a predatory buzzard.