It was claimed many times that the song was written in the country where it had just become a hit. On VE Day,, Humphrey Lyttelton played it standing on a handcart outside Buckingham Palace, a performance that could be heard in the BBC broadcast from the victory celebrations. Meanwhile, the song was recorded and played by many others such as The Andrews Sisters in 1939, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Bobby Vinton, Billie Holiday, and Joe Patek who sold over a million copies of his album "Beer Barrel Polka." ĭuring World War II, versions in many other languages were created and the song was popular among soldiers, regardless of their allegiances. The authors of the English lyrics were Lew Brown and Wladimir Timm. Glahé's earlier 1934 recording sold many copies in its German version Rosamunde (it is possible the reason for the rapid spread was due to the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany, and subsequent emigration of thousands of Czechs to other parts of the world, bringing this catchy tune with them). This version was distributed by Shapiro Bernstein. In June 1939, "Beer Barrel Polka", as recorded by Will Glahé, was number one on the Hit Parade. The polka became famous around the world. Its first text was written later (in 1934) by Václav Zeman – with the title "Škoda lásky" ("Wasted Love"). At that time, it was played without lyrics as "Modřanská polka" ("Polka of Modřany"). Eduard Ingriš wrote the first arrangement of the piece, after Vejvoda came upon the melody and sought Ingriš's help in refining it. The music was composed by the Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda in 1927. " Beer Barrel Polka", also known as " The Barrel Polka" and " Roll Out the Barrel", is a song which became popular worldwide during World War II. For the The Red Green Show episode "Roll Out the Barrels", see list of The Red Green Show episodes § Season 9 (1999).