Where were you when the lights went out.

I am wandering what the "where were you when the lights went out down in the cellar eating sour crout" would refer to. This is not a phrase I think it's an old saying.
What is the difference between phrase's and old sayings?
Hugs.
Kim Whitworth

The only version of this I've ever heard is "Where was Moses when the lights went out?" ("In the dark.")

There's a song and then there was a movie (Mary Tyler Moore?) after the blackout in the 60s.

Speaking of the lights being out, right at this moment there seems to be a problem in much of eastern North America, and about half the websites I've been trying to access are out of commission. BTW, that's "sauerkraut", not "sour crout".