 Its melody was composed earlier in 1881 by Paul Lacome, with lyrics by J. de Lau Lusignan.Waldteufel first adapted it to a two-piano version, and later to an orchestral version with which classical music audiences are familiar today.The main melody is universally recognized by Americans of a certain age as the Rheingold Beer jingle, with the words "My beer is Rheingold the dry beer.