The Lonely Goatherd
Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II Music By Richard Rodgers
“The Lonely Goatherd” was written for Maria to comfort and distract the children after they find their way to her bedroom, frightened by the thunderstorm. The notion that Maria would invent a whole story for the children is very much in keeping with her spirit. For the movie, “The Lonely Goatherd” was adapted into a puppet show, which Maria and the children present to the Captain, Elsa and Max.
Inspired by traditional Austrian culture, “The Lonely Goatherd” has found a life separate and apart from The Sound of Music. Wanting to incorporate something from her favorite film, Gwen Stefani released the single “Wind it Up” in 2006. The single incorporates significant sections of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s music and lyrics, and its video features countless costumes, props and visual references to The Sound of Music.
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The Lonely Goatherd
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"The Lonely Goatherd" Lyrics
High on a hill was a lonely goatherd,
Layee odl, layee odl layee oo,
Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd,
Layee odl layee odl oo.
Folks in a town that was quite remote heard
Layee odl, layee odl layee oo,
Lusty and clear from the goatherd’s throat, heard
Layee odl layee odl oo.
O ho lay-dee odl lee o
O ho lay-dee odl ay!
O ho lay-dee odl lee o
Hodl odl lee-o-lay!
A prince on the bridge of a castle moat heard
Layee odl, layee odl layee oo.
Men on a road with a load to tote heard
Layee odl layee odl oo.
Men in the midst of a table d’hôte heard
Layee odl layee odl layee ee oo.
Men drinking beer with a foam afloat heard
Layee odl layee odl oo.
O ho lay-dee odl lee o O ho lay-dee odl ay!
O ho lay-dee odl lee o Hodl odl lee-o-lay!
One little girl in a pale pink coat heard
Layee odl, layee odl layee oo.
She yodeled back to the lonely goatherd,
Layee odl layee odl oo.
Soon her mama, with a gleaming gloat, heard
Layee odl layee odl layee oo—
What a duet for a girl and goatherd,
Layee odl layee odl oo!
O ho lay-dee odl lee o
O ho lay-dee odl ay!
O ho lay-dee odl lee o
Hodl odl lee-o-lay!
Happy are they—lay dee o ladee lee o,
O lay dee o day dee lay dee o!
Soon the duet will become a trio,
Layee odl layee odl oo!
Hodi lay-ee
Hodi lay-ee
Hodi lay-ee
Hodi lay-ee
Hodi lay-ee
Hodi lay-ee
O-de-layee odl lee-ee odl lay!
"The Lonely Goatherd" (Rodgers/Hammerstein II)
© 1959, Copyright Renewed, Williamson Music Company (ASCAP) c/o Concord Music Publishing.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.