Grandma: okay, my lil victor, I'm so glad you're here! how's come you so skinny? don't you like grandma's pasta *fasule*? spaghetti? meatballs? come on victor, manja, you get big!

In1967
It was told to me (grandma: I want you to be a strong boy when you get big!)
That I'm an honored member of the greatest nationality
(his grandma said)

Grandma: *(italian dialect) tu piglë nu marite italiano, brava gente. lavorënë sod, portanë a muneta a casë, tuttë cose buonë (ë=not read)*
I never learned the language
But translated she said

Italian boys!
They've got the looks
They've got the smarts
Italian boys!
They know romance
They've got sensitive hearts
Italian boys!
And can they cook
Let me lay something on ya
Nobody makes any better lasagna
Eat some pizza
Make some noise
And be proud that you are one of the italian boys

Grandma: come on, open up, open up, victor! open up, ‘at a boy, victor!

She would cook the pasta
I would stir the sauce (grandma: you're gonna remember grandma mignogna, what's grandma tells you)
Get the homemade dressing
Don't forget there's salad yet to toss
(his grandma said)

Grandma: you know, victor? *(italian language) quando io venitti dall'italia, aveva quindici anni. I ragazzi it..eh..americano nun so buon pë niente!*
I carry on the family name
So she makes sure I know

Italian boys!
They love to sculpt
And painting's a cinch
Italian boys!
Let's not forget leonardo davinci!
Italian boys!
We name our kids dominic and malfisa
My grandma looks just like the mona lisa (grandma laughs)
I share the pride
And pride the joy
Of being what I am: an italian boy

Grandma: victor, grandma loves you so much. someday, I want you to be a big man, I want you to write a song just for me. (vic chuckles) and then when grandma's dead and gone, you can play that song for people who's comin after me, okay, victor?
Vic: (laugh) okay.
Grandma: *(italian language) tutti I giovanotti italiani sono I più belli del mondo*
Vic: okay, grandma, grandma, I gotta finish the song.
Grandma: that's right!

Italian boys!
When we unite the whole family
Italian boys!
I got more cousins than the eye can see
Italian boys!
America, sing a thank you chorus
To chris columbus
He discovered it for us
We got the style
We got the poise
We've got to fill the world with more italian boys

Grandma: and victor, I'm glad you are half-italian, because you do have a little bit of dego blood in you and you are adorable! (vic laughs) you a little boy now but when you get big, grandma still give you a big chunk of chocolate! (both laugh) you love that chunk of chocolate?
Vic: (laughing) oh yes, yes.
Grandma: you know what your momma did one time?
Vic: no no, tell me, tell me.
Grandma: she went out with your dad and she left you over my house. it was a summertime, and this is a the truth(trails off)