The song has at least two meanings relating the edelweiss flower to Captain von Trapp's current situation. The first is a straightforward sentiment about Captain von Trapp's feelings for his homeland in the face of the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. The second meaning (more clearly seen in the movie version, when the Captain first sings the song to his children) relates to the Captain's feelings for his children and a rediscovery of their innocence, purity, and good nature ("small and bright, clean and white"). "Bloom and grow forever," and "Bless my homeland forever" are hopeful and powerful statement of what the Captain holds dear, in this case his family and his country, and put in context all of his actions through the story. "Edelweiss" is essentially Captain von Trapp's mission statement.