The Teapot Song

Who doesn't love The Teapot Song [more commonly known as "I'm a Little Teapot"]?  I've sung it with all of my granddaughters, complete with the motions.

When I was with my girlfriend last Saturday, she brought her vintage record and cover of the song to show me, and to share with you.

It brought back memories of a tea party I hosted on September 13, 2003 for the residents of Shelby Nursing Center.  Shelley Marshall was a young wife and mother who perished in the horrible 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  Her husband, Donn, set out to prove that evil shouldn't triumph. Shelley was passionate about tea and often hosted tea parties, so Donn issued a plea for volunteers across America to host tea parties of love and compassion to those with failing health in all 50 states on the weekend of 9/11, while at the same time honoring all those who perished in the terrorist attacks.  

I read about his aspiration in TEA A Magazine, and volunteered to host a tea party representing Michigan. I don't know if the annual teas are still in existence, but the Teapot Song was part of my program sung by granddaughters, Marissa and Brianna.  Below is a photo of them singing and doing the motions.  Marissa [left] is now 19 years old, but she's got her spout and handle in position.  So cute!

I did a little research on the song and discovered it was originally written by George Harold Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelly, and published in 1939.  Clarence Kelly and his wife ran a children's dance school.  One of the dances, the "Waltz Clog" was a tap dance routine, but was too difficult for younger students. So George Sanders wrote The Teapot Song to accompany a dance called the "Teapot Tip" that required minimal skill. It became enormously popular in America and overseas.  I wonder if dance schools still teach the Teapot Tip?

Below is a copy of the vintage sheet music which can still be purchased on Amazon.

"I'm a little teapot,

Short and stout

Here is my handle

Here is my spout

When I get all steamed up

Hear me shout

Just tip me over,

and pour me out."