Childhood Memories

For my readers who do not know, my son Craig is a Special Needs Adult.  I still think of him as a child, as does he.  So, my interactions with him are still mostly the sort you would have with a child.  Who happens to have a beard and a deep voice and other manly type stuff.  Confusing, I know.  Anyway, the point of all this is that when I shave Craig I wet his Italian heritage beard down with warm water and let it sit, then I rub in some shaving cream and do a butchered version of an old Italian children's rhyme.

It always tickles him.  Then I tell the story about how my Grandfather, Goochie Goochie, used to play this little game with us where he would caress our cheeks and say this rhyme to us.  My understanding of it was limited, but I knew it had something to do with going somewhere and having cheese and bread.  The only part that sticks in my mind is the beginning, which sounds like "Moosha Mooshell".

Craig desired me to find a version of it on the internet, and so off I went.  It is apparently a Neapolitan rhyme called "Micio Miagolio."

The particular dialect it is spoken in will change the way it sounds, obviously, but of the several versions I have seen written, this one* sounds the closest to what I remember.

(Italian Dialect)

Micio Miagolio
Vata Vatille
Che Te Mangiare
O Pane e casa
Nu mina Rata
Nu pugalia a mia
Frusti, frusti, frusti!

Actions

Rub the cheeks
On each line
On the last line
tap the cheeks.

(English)

Kitty Cat
Pussy Cat
What did you eat?
Bread and cheese
You didn't give me any
Not even a little bit
Hit, hit, hit! 

Some Italian Grandparents must have taken out frustrations on their unsuspecting grandchildren and slapped their cheeks.  Goochie Goochie just tapped them, maybe with some pinching, but we're Italians and we pinch!

I was also able to find a wav. of it which, although a little different, should give you the flavor. 

Micio Miagolio

Savor them slowly.  Childhood Memories have a faint aroma and need time to be enjoyed. 

*from Mamalisa.com