Lyric discussion by Hartyhar 

Cover art for So Long, Farewell lyrics by Sound of Music, The

Did Rodgers and Hammerstein intend the cuckoo to have a double meaning in this song? The cuckoo, as layers of eggs in other birds' nests, is a symbol of unfaithfulness or similar sexual actions. Is it coincidence that this scene, with the goodnight song, comes right at the part of the movie in which the love between the Captain and Maria is brought to light by the Captain's presumed fiancee?