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"Maria" is a song featured in the 1965 film The Sound of Music sung by Peggy Wood as the Mother Abbess and Nun Chorus. Composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II, the title refers to the character Maria von Trapp, a nun who is criticized by the Mother Abbess for her carelessness towards the church during the song.

This was later sung when Maria is engaged to Captain Von Trapp.

Lyrics[]

She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee, her dress has got a tear
She waltzes on her way to Mass and whistles on the stair
And underneath her wimple she has curlers in her hair
I even heard her singing in the abbey

She's always late for chapel, but her penitence is real
She's always late for everything, except for every meal
I hate to have to say it, but I very firmly feel

Maria's not an asset to the abbey
I'd like to say a word in her behalf
Maria makes me laugh

How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find the word that means Maria?
A flibbertigibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay and listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand?

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
When I'm with her I'm confused,
Out of focus and bemused

And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather, she's as flighty as a feather
She's a darling! She's a demon! She's a lamb!
She'd out pester any pest, drive a hornet from its nest

She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
She is gentle! She is wild!
She's a riddle! She's a child!
She's a headache! She's an angel! She's a girl!

How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find the word that means Maria?
A flibbertigibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay and listen to all you say

How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?


v - e - d
The Sound of Music transparent logo
Media
The Sound of Music (Soundtrack/Video)
Characters
Maria von TrappCaptain von TrappBaroness Elsa von SchraederMax DetweilerMother AbbessLiesl von TrappFriedrich von TrappLouisa von TrappKurt von TrappBrigitta von TrappMarta von TrappGretl von Trapp
Songs
The Sound of MusicMariaI Have ConfidenceSixteen Going on SeventeenMy Favorite ThingsClimb Ev'ry MountainThe Lonely GoatherdDo-Re-MiSomething GoodEdelweissSo Long, Farewell
Locations
SalzburgAustriaNonnberg AbbeyVon Trapp MansionRock Riding SchoolGazeboMirabell GardensWinkler TerraceResidence Fountain
Objects
Captain von Trapp's WhistleMaria von Trapp's GuitarPuppetsRed Flag with the Black CrossSuitcaseMaria von Trapp's HatOrange Volleyball
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