National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com
Phone: 216-261-3263
Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA
Fax: 216-261-4134
www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605
East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.
2002 GREATEST ALL-TIME HIT SONG
“UNDER THE DOUBLE EAGLE”
Composer: J. F. Wagner
Popular Polka Recording:
Bob Timko - The Sound of Timko
Greyko Recording Co. GLPS 1020
1969
Time: 2:22
Other Recordings:
Louis Spehek and Son - 1928
Frank Yankovic and his Yanks - 1959
Walter Ostanek and his Band - 1972
Jack Tady and his Swinging Laddies - 1977
Hank Thunander - 1980
Fred Ziwich & his International Sound Machine - 1991
Button Box Connection - 2001
Key of D, G
Musicians on Hit Recording:
Bob Timko - accordion
Jerry Jasinski - saxophone
Joe Pianecki - drum
Al Markic - banjo
Ron Sluga - guitar
Frank Piccirillo - piano
Stan Slejko - bass
"Under the Double Eagle" polka is typical of the early Cleveland-style offerings,
which were adapted from Austrian marches. "Unter dem Doppeladler" was composed by
Josef Franz Wagner, Austrian military bandleader and the Austrian March King. Wagner's
Opus 19, refers to the double eagle in the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
The march became so popular that John Philip Sousa introduced it in the United States
in 1902, and recorded it three times. Wagner also wrote the march, "Tiroler Holzacker
Bub'n," recorded by polka bands under the title Holzacker march, and the Jolly Lumberjack
polka. Louis Spehek, a contemporary of Matt Hoyer in Cleveland, recorded the "Double
Eagle Koracnica" for Columbia Records in New York in 1928. "Double Eagle" has been
a popular number in the repertoire of piano accordionists and button accordion players
alike. Bob Timko, Benzy Rathbone, Hank Thunander, Fred Ziwich, and the Button Box
Connection are among the polka artists who have recorded it. But the tune is not
exclusive to the polka world. Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Myron Floren, Lawrence
Welk, Willie Nelson, John Williams, Hank Snow, Chet Atkins, Roy Clark, and the Duke
of Paducah have all recorded "Under the Double Eagle." The triplet notes and dexterity
required to play the piece is an enjoyable challenge to most musicians. Listeners
perk up when they hear the bass notes pick up the lead melody on accordion arrangements.
The strong melody of the trio brings the song to a rousing finish.
