My Favourite Things
Julie Andrews/The Sound of Music Lyrics
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And whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
"My Favorite Things" is a song that speaks to the idea of finding comfort and joy in the small pleasures and objects that life can offer. The opening verses describe a few of these things, such as raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and brown paper packages tied up with strings. The next set of verses adds to the collection, including cream-colored ponies, crisp apple strudels, and wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings. The final verses touch on the beauty of snowflakes, silver-white winters, and girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.
Throughout the song, the idea is reinforced that these objects and experiences can bring solace and happiness, even in difficult times. The reprise of the first verse at the end of the song reminds the listener that these things are always there to be remembered and appreciated.
As performers in the original 1965 Broadway production and subsequent film version of The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews, Charmian Carr, Heather Menzies, Nicholas Hammond, and Duane Chase all contributed to making the song a beloved classic. Their performances of "My Favorite Things" captured the song's essence of finding pleasure and comfort in life's simple joys.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops on roses
I enjoy the sight of raindrops falling on roses
And whiskers on kittens
I find pleasure in petting the whiskers of kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
I am fond of the shiny copper kettles and mittens made of warm woolen material
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
I like the simple beauty of brown paper packages fastened with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
These are the things that bring me joy and comfort
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
I have an affinity for the beauty of cream-colored ponies and the taste of crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
The sound of doorbells and sleigh bells and the taste of schnitzel with noodles appeal to me
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
I find wonder in the sight of wild geese flying against a moonlit night sky
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
I appreciate the elegance of girls wearing white dresses adorned with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
The delicate beauty of snowflakes that land and stay on my nose and eyelashes amazes me
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
I look forward to the transition from cold and snowy winters to the fresh and colorful beginnings of spring
When the dog bites
When I encounter pain or hardship, such as when a dog bites me
When the bee stings
When I experience the pain of a bee sting
When I'm feeling sad
When I am in a state of sadness
I simply remember my favorite things
I think of the things that bring me joy and comfort
And then I don't feel so bad
And by doing so, I feel better, uplifted
Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind