No Way to Stop It

"No Way to Stop It" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music, but not included in the later film version from 1965.

Context

Captain Von Trapp has been hearing word that the Anschluss is approaching, and is formulating a method of evading the grasp of the Nazis. During this song, the Baroness and Max Detweiler are explaining to him that there is nothing he can do. They think he should be flexible and make the Nazis think that he is on their side. This song is a turning point in the musical for the Captain Von Trapp, marking the point where he breaks off his relationship with Elsa (the Baroness), leaving him free to pursue Maria.

Lyrics

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

You dear attractive dewy-eyed idealist, Today you have to learn to be a realist.

[Captain von Trapp]

You may be bent on doing deed of daring due, But up against a shark, what can a herring do?

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

Be wise, compromise.

[Captain von Trapp]

Compromise, and be wise!

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

Let them think you're on their side, be noncommittal.

[Captain von Trapp]

I will not bow my head to the men I despise!

[Max Detweiler]

You won't have to bow your head to stoop a little.

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

Why not learn to put your faith and your reliance, On an obvious and simple fact of science?

Refrain

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

A crazy planet full of crazy people, Is somersaulting all around the sky. And everytime it turns another somersault, Another day goes by. And there's no way to stop it, No, there's no way to stop it. No, you can't stop it even if you tried. So, I'm not going to worry, No, I'm not going to worry, Everytime I see another day go by.

[Captain von Trapp]

While somersaulting at a cockeyed angle, We make a cockeyed circle 'round the sun. And when we circle back to where we started from, Another year has run.

[Both]

And there's no way to stop it, No, there's no way to stop it, If the earth wants to roll around the sun. You're a fool if you worry. You're a fool if you worry, Over anything but little number one.

[Captain von Trapp]

That's you!

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

That's I!

[Captain von Trapp]

And I!

[Max Detweiler]

And me!

[Captain von Trapp]

That all absorbing character.

[Baroness Elsa Schräder]

That fastinating creature.

[Max Detweiler]

That super special feature,

[All]

Me!

[Captain von Trapp]

So every star on every whirling planet, And every constellation in the sky, Revolves around the center of the universe, That lovely thing called, I.

[All]

And there's no way to stop it. No, there's no way to stop it, And I know, though I cannot tell you why (sigh). Just as long as I'm living, Just as long as I'm living, There'll be nothing else as wonderful as I. I! I! I! Nothing else as wonderful as I!