A Veritable Smorgasbord

"A Veritable Smorgasbord" is a song from the musical animated film "Charlotte's Web (1973 film)" written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. It is introduced in the story by the Goose, voiced by Agnes Moorehead, and then reprised by Moorehead and Paul Lynde as Templeton the Rat. It is reprised once more, this time at a "double time" tempo sung solo by Templeton.

Details

Charlotte asks Templeton to also go along with them to the fair because she might need someone to run errands for her, but Templeton stresses his disinterest in the whole thing. The goose steps in to help Charlotte and tells Templeton the only reason he isn't interested in going to fair is because he has never been to one before. She sings a song about all of the delicious goodies left on the ground "after the gates are shut". When Templeton hears this story about all of this food, he is more than ready to take a trip to the fair.

Lyrics

THE GOOSE::A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord:After the crowds have ceased:Each night when the lights go out:It can be found on the ground all around:Oh, what a ratly feast!

:Why a fair has enough disgusting leftover food to satisfy a whole army of rats...

:TEMPLETON::Is this true?:Is this appetizing yarn of yours true?:Will I Find...

:Melon rinds and bits of hot dogs:Cookie crumbs and rotten cotton candy:Melted ice cream, mustard dripplings:Moldy goodies everywhere

:THE GOOSE::Yes, Yes Yes...

:TEMPLETON::Lots of popcorn, apple cores:Bananna peels and soggy sandwiches:And gobs of gorgeous gook to gobble at the fair

:THE GOOSE::Yes, Yes, Yes!

:TEMPLETON::I like high living:What you say tempts me...

:THE GOOSE::It's true:Go to the fair Templeton:You will find that it will surpass your wildest dreams

:TEMPLETON::You mean tin cans with particles of tuna fish stickin to 'em?:Greasy paper bags stuffed with rotten eggs?

:THE GOOSE::Yep, yep, yep.:True, true, true.

:TEMPLETON::That's enough!:Don't tell me anymore!:I'm going!

:THE GOOSE & TEMPLETON::A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord:After the gates are shut:Each night when the lights go out:It can be found on the ground all around:That's where a rat can glut, glut, glut, glut!

Later At the Fair

:TEMPLETON::The Goose was right:This "is" a rat's paradise!:Bye Bye my "humble" Wilbur:Fare thee well Charlotte,you old schemer:This will be a night to remember!

(at double tempo)

:A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord:After the crowds have ceased:Each night when the lights go out:It can be found on the ground all around:Oh, what a ratly feast!

:Melon rinds and bits of hot dogs:Cookie crumbs and rotton cotton candy:Melted ice cream, mustard dripplings:Moldy goodies everywhere

:Lots of popcorn, apple cores:Bananna peels and soggy sandwiches:And gobs of gorgeous gook to gobble at the fair

(slows to a slow tempo after he is stuffed):A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord:After the gates are shut:Each night when the lights go out:It can be found on the ground all around:That's where a rat can glut, glut, glut, glut

Facts

*In the film, the Goose tells Templeton he should go to the fair to find new words to put in Charlotte's Web. However, Templeton is more interested in the left over food, the "Veritable Smorgasbord" which he sings praises to as he eats his way through the fairgrounds.

Literary Sources

* Sherman, Robert B. "". Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.