Martina McBride - Concrete Angel Lyrics Meaning

"She walks to school with a lunch she packed"
This means that the little girl (played by Noel Wiggins in the music video has to fend for herself. No one takes her to school or packs her lunch for her.
"Nobody knows what she's holding back"
This means that the girl is hiding something, but no one knows what it is.
"Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday"
This means that the girl might be living in poverty. In the music video, her dress is dirty and tattered. This further suggests that she is poor and that no one really takes care of her.
"She hides the bruises with linen and lace"
This suggests that the girl is abused. Earlier in the music video, we see her mother (played by Jane Lynch) and we assume now that her mother is the abuser. This also suggests that she is afraid to speak up about what is happening to her.
"The teacher wonders, but she doesn't ask"
This means that although people notice there is something wrong, no one tries to help. In the music video, we see the concerned teacher looking at finger-shaped bruises on the girl's arms.
"It's hard to see the pain behind the mask"
This means that although it is clear the girl is unhappy, no one really knows enough to understand what is happening. This line helps us to understand why the teacher doesn't try to help. The part about the mask shows that the girl hides (masks) her emotions (pain).
"Bearing the burden of a secret storm"
This means that the girl is experiencing emotional turmoil (a proverbial storm), but she keeps it a secret. Keeping this secret is a huge burden for her to bear.
"Sometimes she wishes she was never born"
This means that the girl feels as if her life has no purpose. In the music video, the girl sits on a bench alone at recess while the other kids play. This suggests that she has no friends.
"Through the wind and the rain, she stands hard as a stone"
This means that although bad things happen to the girl, she stays strong. In the music video, a little boy comes to sit with her and they begin to talk. It is later implied that the boy is an angel and a fellow victim of child abuse.
"In a world that she can't rise above"
This means that the girl has difficulty finding happiness in her life and overcoming the challenges she faces each day. In the music video, she laughs and smiles with the angel boy. This suggests that he is bringing her happiness and helping her "rise above", despite what the lyrics say. However, this is only temporary.
"But her dreams give her wings"
This means that the girl's dreams give her hope and help her escape from reality and "rise above".
"And she flies to a place where she's loved"
This means that although the girl feels unloved in "a world that she can't rise above", there is a place she can reach where she will feel happy and loved. Arguably, this place is Heaven.
"Concrete angel"
This means that the girl is strong (like concrete) She is good (like an angel) and has done nothing wrong.
"Somebody cries in the middle of the night"
This seems fairly self-explanatory. However, some people have argued that the girl is crying out for help rather than actually weeping. I believe it is the latter, but lyrics are always open for interpretation.
"The neighbors hear, but they turn out the light"
This means that the neighbors don't try to help.
"A fragile soul caught in the hand of fate"
This means that the girl was "fragile" and unable to defend herself. At this point, her "fate" was inexorable.
"When morning comes, it'll be too late"
This means that the damage was done. The girl died.
*Chorus*
"A statue stands in a shaded place"
The statue is a memorial in the likeness of the girl.
"An angel girl with an upturned face"
This describes the statue in the music video.
"Her name is written on a polished rock"
This describes the grave in the music video. In the video, the girl's name is Angela Carter. This is also the name of the singer's niece, for whom the song was written.
"A broken heart that the world forgot"
This means that the injustices Angela suffered were not remembered for long after her tragic death.
*Chorus*
Author's Note: My heart goes out to anyone who has ever been abused. If you are currently in a dangerous situation like Angela's, please get help. There is hope for you. There are people who can help you. It is not too late. Good luck. Love to all.

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