Show Synopsis:
The upper class Banks family needs a new nanny for their disobedient children Jane and Michael, who try to write their own advertisement. Mary Poppins finds them after retrieving the torn-up ad and making it whole again. Mary has a bottomless carpet bag and the ability to bring the children on fantastic adventures around London that they all enjoy immensely. Mr. Banks disapproves of the stories of these adventures, so Mary takes the children to visit him at the bank he is employed at. Michael inadvertently suspends all the bank's business and causes his father to lose his job. Mr. Banks begins to realize that there is more to life than work, and that he should spend more time with his children while they are still growing. Mary Poppins leaves the Banks Family now that her work is done.	

Character:
Mary Poppins, a beautiful and magical nanny who is stern with her charges; teaches everyone around her valuable lessons; elegant.

Song Context:
Mary, Jane, and Michael are walking to the bank to visit their father for a rare un-magical adventure when they see a homeless woman on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral. Mary tells Jane and Michael about "The Bird Lady" and how devoted she is to feeding the birds every single day, and Michael goes to help her feed them.	

Fun Facts:
1) This version of Mary Poppins draws more characters and storylines from the book series by P.L. Travers than the Disney movie had. 
2) Ashley Brown, who originated the role on Broadway and later played Mary on tour, said in an interview with BroadwayWorld.com that she connected her own backstory for the role and read Travers' books to learn more about the original character. "The thing with Mary Poppins, and why she is so intriguing to everyone, is that no one can put their finger on her. Nobody knows what she is and who she is. The thing is that they admire her because she never apologizes for who she is and never wavers from that. That is what I admire about her and that is why people love her so much. You never know what she is going to do next, but you know it has a purpose and you'll know more after the fact." 
3) Walt Disney loved this song and used to ask the composers to play it for him in his office.