Marie wrote asking about a Sicilian Rhyme…

Hello Lisa,

Just found your site and it’s very interesting.

My sisters and I are recalling a little “diddy” my mother used to say to us when our feet fell “asleep.”

Can you help please?

What we can remember is this – which we all disagreed on how to spell them.

Spieg di pedi
L’angiolo veni
Veni cantata
Spiega ?????

Thank you for your gracious help.

Marie (Giuggio) Hodge

I asked Rt. Rev. Joseph Francavilla if he could help us, since he had helped us with another Sicilian rhyme. He wrote:

I’ll try. “Hasten O feet, the angel comes, he comes singing, hasten… ”

Spieg di could be “Sbrigati piedi from sbrigare to hurry or hasten.

Happy to help out. Brings back many happy memories.

When I sent this to Marie, she wrote back:

Thank you for your effort on that Sicilian rhymes. It has stymied us for nearly a year.
I shall add it to the words I have and as soon as I find the true rhyme I’ll share them with you.

The verb svegliare – to wake up…
Svegli di piedi – Wake up feet
L’angielo veni – The angels are coming
Veni cantata – They come singing
Svegli – ?????

I have been trying to learn the Italian language a huge fete! My mother always asked me to answer her in Italian, but I refused. (stub-bor- en!)

sbrigare – to hurry or hasten

“Hasten O feet
the angel comes,
he comes singing,
Hasten . . .”

I really appreciate you replying to me, Lisa. I’ll let you know when I solve the mystery.

Marie Hodge

If anyone can help Marie with the rest of this rhyme, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa