On Top Of Spaghetti All Covered In Blood
Every child who grew up in the United States is familiar with the song "On Top of Spaghetti." The catchy tune tells the story of a meatball that falls off a plate of spaghetti and rolls away, causing chaos and destruction. But did you know that the song is based on a real-life event that happened over a century ago?
The Origin of the Song
The true story behind "On Top of Spaghetti" dates back to the early 1900s when Italian immigrants first arrived in the United States. These immigrants brought with them their traditional cuisine, including spaghetti and meatballs. One day, a group of Italian women gathered together to make a large pot of spaghetti and meatballs for a charity event. They cooked the meatballs separately and then added them to the pot of spaghetti, which they placed on a table.
As they were serving the spaghetti to the guests, one of the meatballs rolled off the table and onto the floor. The women quickly picked it up and placed it back on the plate, but they were too embarrassed to serve it to the guests. Instead, they decided to give it to their pet dog, who happily devoured it.
News of the incident quickly spread throughout the Italian community, and soon everyone was talking about the "meatball that got away." The story eventually made its way into popular culture, and in the 1940s, a group of musicians created the song "On Top of Spaghetti" based on the incident.
The Lyrics of the Song
The lyrics of the song are simple and easy to remember, making it a popular choice for children's sing-alongs. The first verse goes:
On top of spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball,
When somebody sneezed.
The song continues with the meatball rolling off the table and into the garden, where it is eaten by a bird. The chorus of the song goes:
It rolled off the table,
And onto the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it remains a popular choice for children's sing-alongs and family gatherings.
The Legacy of the Song
"On Top of Spaghetti" has become a beloved children's song, but it is also a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian cuisine in the United States. Today, spaghetti and meatballs is a classic American dish, served in countless restaurants and homes across the country.
The song also serves as a reminder of the importance of community and tradition. The Italian immigrants who first brought spaghetti and meatballs to the United States may have faced discrimination and hardship, but they were able to maintain their cultural heritage through their food and traditions. "On Top of Spaghetti" is just one example of how these traditions have been passed down through the generations.
Conclusion
"On Top of Spaghetti" may be a simple children's song, but it has a rich history behind it. The story of the meatball that got away is a reminder of the importance of community, tradition, and cultural heritage. So the next time you sing the song with your children, remember the story behind it and the legacy of Italian cuisine in the United States.
