Maria

(one nun at a time) She climbs a tree And scrapes her knee Her dress has got a tear She waltzs on her way to mass And whistles on the stair And underneath her wimple She has curlers in her hair! I've even heard her singing in the abbey She's always late for chapel, But her penitence is real She's always late for everything Except for every meal I hate to have to say it but I very firmly feel (all together) Maria's not an asset to the abbey (one nun) I'd like to say a word in her behalf: Maria makes me laugh (all nuns laugh) (Mother Abbess) How do you solve a problem like maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? (one nun) How do you find a word that means Maria? (one nun at a time) A flibbertajibbit? A will of a whisp a clown Many a thing you know you'd like tell her Many a thing she ought to understand But how do you make her stay? And listen to all you say how do you keep a wave upon the sand? Oh how do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you hold a moon beam in your hand? When I'm with her I'm confused Out of focus And bemused And I never know exactly where I am (one nun at a time) Unpredictable as weather She's as flighty as a feather She's a darling She's a demon She's a lamb She'd out pester any pest Drive a hornet from its nest She can throw a twirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle She is wild She's a riddle She's a child She's a headache She's an angel She's a girl!! (all at once) How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you find a word that means Maria? A flibbertajjibet A will of a wisp A clown Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her Many a thing she ought to understand But how do you make her stay? And listen to all you say How do you keep a wave upon the sand? Oh how do you solve a problem like maria? How do you hold a moon beam in your hand?