Top of page

Sheet Music of the Week: Pi Day Edition

Share this post:

“The little pie,” by Hubbard T Smith. New York: Richard A. Saalfield, 1889.

Today is a date on which we celebrate not only the mathematical constant used to  determine circular measurements, but the delicious treat whose circular shape comforts us from the cooling windowsill to our growling stomach.

Yet all is not rosy in the august lore of piedom. Hubbard T. Smith’s “The little pie” tells the antiquated story of Dinah, a homemaker who bakes her husband a pie and sets it down to cool. Into this picture of domestic bliss comes a rodent who startles poor Dinah, and although the lyrics gloss over the details, the poor couple requires medical intervention to soothe the injury of a freshly baked mess. The Performing Arts Encyclopedia also features less traumatic tales of nineteenth century pie lore, including “The Christmas pie waltz,” “Miss Mulligan’s homemade pie,” and “Pie crust polka,” which come to think of it sounds like a recipe for trouble.

Add a Comment

This blog is governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You are fully responsible for everything that you post. The content of all comments is released into the public domain unless clearly stated otherwise. The Library of Congress does not control the content posted. Nevertheless, the Library of Congress may monitor any user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove content for any reason whatever, without consent. Gratuitous links to sites are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments. We further reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to remove a user's privilege to post content on the Library site. Read our Comment and Posting Policy.


Required fields are indicated with an * asterisk.