What the song is about
Edelweiss was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1959 musical The Sound of Music. In the story, Captain von Trapp sings it as a quiet farewell to his homeland, using the small white mountain flower as a symbol of the place he loves. The song is calm and tender, which is why many families sing it at bedtime.
To read the full lyrics or hear the song, please visit the official Rodgers and Hammerstein website (rnh.com) or a licensed Sound of Music soundtrack.
Why kids love it
Kids love the slow waltz rhythm and the idea of a tiny flower growing high in the snowy Alps. Activity: look up a photo of a real edelweiss flower together, then draw or make one from white paper and cotton wool.
“Edelweiss” is a song from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “The Sound of Music.” The song is performed by the character Captain Georg von Trapp, played by Christopher Plummer, and is a tribute to Austria’s natural beauty and the Edelweiss flower, which has become a national symbol. The song has since become a popular folk tune and is often associated with the Alps and mountainous regions of Europe.
