On Top of Spaghetti Lyrics

Written by American songwriter Tom Glazer in 1963 as a parody of "On Top of Old Smoky," this narrative song tells the goofy story of a meatball that rolls off a plate, out a door, and eventually grows into a tree. It appeals most to children ages 4 to 8, who are old enough to follow a simple story arc and appreciate its absurd humor. Early-childhood educators often use narrative songs like this to build sequencing skills, since children need to track what happens first, next, and last to retell the story afterward. The song's clear verse structure also models basic storytelling patterns that support later reading comprehension. Because the plot is so silly, children tend to remember it easily and enjoy acting it out with simple gestures, like rolling motions for the escaping meatball. It's a favorite for family dinners or car rides when a fun, story-driven song helps pass the time. For more on how storytelling songs support developing readers, see how nursery rhymes teach reading.

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.

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 then the next summer,
It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,
All covered with moss,
And on it grew meatballs,
And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Whenever you sneeze.