An der schönen blauen Donau

The literal translation is “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”.  It is known in the English speaking world as “The Blue Danube”. It is one of Johann Strauss II most famous pieces.  The video below is the instrumental version.  There is also a choral version which starts “Danube so blue, “so bright and blue.  Personally, I …

I Imagine the Country

The song has its origins in the summer of 1989 just prior to the collapse of communism. At a local festival Dežo Ursiny sang John Lennon’s Imagine.  This was followed by a Slovak version written by Ivan Štrpka. The Slovak version became “Predstavujem Si Krajinu” (I imagine the country).  At the time it symbolised living …