The first thing I read after I got up this morning was whatever was on the dining table. It threw a curve ball at me. Instantly, the tune entered my head. The only way to get rid of that ear worm was to write it down. January 4th is National Spaghetti Day.
On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese
I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed.
It rolled off the table and onto the floor
And then my poor meatball rolled out of the door.
American folk singer-songwriter Tom Glazer (1914-2003) was most famous for penning the famous lyrics to the tune of “On Top of Old Smokey.”
It’s an easy three chord song with a short melodic range.
I couldn’t resist tabbing the notes for low and high G ukulele, showing different ways to play it.
Then I explored different ways to accompany it — like a waltz or ballad.
My goal nowadays is to arrange music that is intuitively obvious and easy to play. Your fingers can’t help doing what they do. There is no resistance or angst.
It rolled in the garden and under a bush
And then my poor meatball was nothing but mush
The mush was as tasty as tasty could be
And early next summer, it grew into a treeThe tree was all covered with beautiful moss
It grew lovely meatballs and tomato sauce
So if you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese
Hold on to your meatballs and don’t ever sneeze
Practice Suggestions
Be sure to accent (emphasize) the melody notes.
To play along to my arrangement, download the one page song sheet with lyrics and chords and share with others to sing along.
More information
Get access to the sheet music, notification of new work, and table of contents of this Daily Music Writing Project.
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