<P> The song features the characters Max Detweiler and Baroness Elsa Schräder, with Captain Georg von Trapp joining in later . It was first performed by Marion Marlowe, Kurt Kasznar and Theodore Bikel . </P> <P> Captain von Trapp anticipates the German annexation of Austria, and argues with Elsa and Max about how to respond to the Nazis, who have begun to overrun the country . While the Captain holds Austrian nationalist views and believes he must stand up to the Nazis, Elsa and Max say there is nothing anyone can do, and that the Captain should be flexible and make the Nazis think that he is on their side . </P> <P> The song shows the three's different motivations and clashes of egos, and becomes a song about Max and Elsa trying to convince Georg to forget about everything going on around him and just to think about himself . The song's circular melody parallels its circular argument . In the end, Georg decides he cannot marry a woman with no political convictions . The "political dispute (was essentially replaced) with a solely personal and individual squabble". The song is a turning point in the musical for Captain von Trapp, marking the point where he breaks off his relationship with Elsa, leaving him free to marry Maria . </P> <P> The song was not used in the film adaptation, where instead the engagement is called off because Elsa is too rich and powerful, wanting an extravagant life in Vienna, and the Captain, who has fallen in love with Maria, wants a simple life in the country . </P>

The sound of music no way to stop it