My Favorite Things
Oscar Hammerstein II/Richard Rodgers Lyrics
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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 strudles,
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings...
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
The song "My Favorite Things" is a cheerful and optimistic tune that was composed by Richard Rodgers and has lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, two of the most successful American musical theatre collaborators of the twentieth century. The song appears in the musical "The Sound of Music" and is sung by the character Maria, who sings it to comfort herself and the children in her care during a thunderstorm. The song's message is to focus on the positive things in life and to maintain a positive outlook, even in difficult or trying times.
The song's lyrics describe various things that make the singer happy, including favorite possessions and memories. The chorus lists the items that make up the focus of the song, including "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens," "bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens," and "brown paper packages tied up with strings." The second verse continues with similar imagery, describing "cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels," "doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles," and "wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings." The final verse mentions "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes," "snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes," and "silver white winters that melt into springs." The song expresses that each item is a small detail that brings joy and holds a precious memory for the singer. The lyrics are simple yet incredibly effective, as they instantly evoke the senses and help transport the listener to a place of comfort and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
I find joy in simple things like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
I love the comforting warmth of my bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.
Brown paper packages tied up with strings...
I appreciate the small details, like brown paper packages tied up with strings, that add to life's pleasures.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudles,
I love the beauty of cream-colored ponies and the taste of crisp apple strudels.
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Even the sounds of door bells and sleigh bells, and the taste of schnitzel with noodles bring me happiness.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings...
The sight of wild geese flying with the moon on their wings fills me with wonder and awe.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
The image of girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes is a beautiful and enchanting one.
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
I love the feeling of snowflakes delicately resting on my nose and eyelashes.
Silver white winters that melt into springs
The transition from silver white winters to the vibrant renewal of spring is a thing of great beauty.
When the dog bites
Even when things go wrong, like when a dog bites, you can find solace in focusing on the things that bring you joy.
When the bee stings
Similarly, even when things hurt, like a bee sting, you can still find comfort in your favorite things.
When I'm feeling sad...
When sadness threatens to overwhelm me, I turn to my favorite memories and things to lift my mood.
I simply remember my favorite things
Recalling my favorite things helps me find joy in even the most challenging moments of life.
And then I don't feel so bad
By focusing on my favorite things, I can transform negative feelings into a more positive outlook.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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