"The Blue Skirt Waltz" is a popular song originally published as "Cervená sukýnka" (in English "Red Skirt") in Prague in 1944. It was originally written by Václav Bláha. The English lyrics were written by Mitchell Parish who also wrote lyrics for "Stardust" and "Sleighride". It is not at all a traditional song but I did learn it by ear. It was a favorite of my banjo accomplice John Letscher's mother. When we were kids, we would often hear her humming and singing it. The banjo tablature is from him. This song is here in loving memory of his mother Wilelmina "Toots" Letscher. Beginning with Frankie Yankovic (not related to "Weird Al" Yankovic) it has been a popular accordion piece for many years. It was recorded by Frankie Yankovic and His Yanks with The Marlin Sisters (1949), Lawrence Duchow and His Red Raven Orchestra (1949), Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (1949), Dick Contino (1959), The Browns featuring Jim Ed Brown (1960), Happy Louie & His Polka Band (1968), Myron Floren (1972), Frankie Yankovic with Chet Atkins, Margaret Bailey (1995) and many others.