Oddly, I was thinking the same thing BEFORE I read your comments. I was also thinking that most people will assume the words are a metaphor, possibly the author too, and only a few folks would see that it could be taken literally.
She, Maria, sings it like no one could 50 years and better than anyone today.At the present time female performers are asked to screech at their upper register. Miss Albreghetti has an incredibly trained voice without sacrificing diction or harsh nasal noteswhich would ruin the character she is portraying.She is so brilliant in the recording that to cast another makes the role, the musical Carnival unrevivable.
Actually saw her perform this live on Broadway in NYC in about 1962. My first live experience! Brings back memories for sure. I was about 14 I think...