She loved him like he was the last man on Earth
Gave him everything she ever had
He'd break her spirit down, then come lovin' up on her
Give a little, then take it back

She'd tell him 'bout her dreams, he'd just shoot 'em down
Lord, he loved to make her cry
You're crazy for believin', you'll ever leave the ground
He said, "Only angels know how to fly"

And with a broken wing she still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing (ooh-ooh) she carries her dreams
Man, you ought to see her fly

One Sunday morning, she didn't go to church
He wondered why she didn't leave
He went up to the bedroom, found a note by the window
With the curtains blowin' in the breeze

And with a broken wing she still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing (ooh-ooh) she carries her dreams
Man, you ought to see her fly

(With) with a broken wing (ooh-ooh) she carries her dreams
Man, you ought to see her fly
(With a broken wing, ooh-ooh)


Lyrics submitted by ~*Rocker_Chick*~

A Broken Wing Lyrics as written by Phil Barnhart James House

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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A Broken Wing song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    As someone who survived a tremendous abusive relationship in all facets of abuse, I read this song as a fellow survivor, flying with a broken wing.

    She was an angel of a person to endure a wretch like himself; he knew when he met her she was super special, an angel, whether or not he could bring himself to liken her to it, but nonetheless she loved him, the broken man he knew deep down that he was. It was only a matter of time before he would refuse her even being able to come and go on her own. Narcissists don't reveal their true selves until the knot is tied, and the oppression escalates gradually. He knew her schedule, knew to look for her leaving by the door; he never dreamed she'd escape through an open window.

    In desperation, when we pray to God for answers to our grief, He provides a window of escape. I think her belief in Christ gave her the open window she sought.

    He thought he could keep her grounded by squelching her spirit; he was wrong. In reality we don't become angels when we die, so I don't believe there is a foreshadowing suggesting she committed suicide. I made my escape leaving the backdoor curtain blowing in the wind. I had written him many, many times; in fact, that last note was the easiest to write, but hardest for me to conceive.

    I can attest, psychological abuse maims you physiologically, but despite her ailment, she flew... and soars ...still. She's always looking over her shoulder, at least I am... but keeping an eye on the sky, looking to God, as she always had and always will. It is this act that allows soaring beyond all circumstances, especially abuse.

    lcarmichaelarmyof1@yahoo.comon September 09, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is yet another powerful song sung by Martina Mcbride. In the song a husband abuses his wife tearing her spirit. The song illustrates the cycle of violence as the husband abuses his wife, then kisses up trying to make her believe he loves her, and then abuses her again. She eventually breaks the cycle of violence by refusing to put up with the abuse any longer... She leaves him. She will probably be affected by the abuse for years to come, but still she is powerful. The broken wing is a metaphor for the lasting emotional affects of the abuse, while flying repressent her growing sterngth and independence.

    chungjikon May 05, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The abuse in this song is mainly emotional, mental and verbal, rather than physical. Great ending, she finally decided to leave and follow her dreams and put him in the past.

    IKNOWNUTHINGon December 31, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Found a note by the window/With the curtains blowin' in the breeze.

    I think that means she killed herself, not left him.

    carlosthedwarfon September 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think she just left him. It talks the whole song about how she can fly and really be something and then she leaves. I think to show him that she is really something more! because she really is and all women are. i think that if the song meant that she killed herself then it wouldn't be so powerful to women out there today! it would be like telling us to just give up!

    lost_sissy_4lifeon December 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Two words, Domestic Violence

    Lonesomeon December 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Basically she putts up with being abused byher husband time after time, he's controling and after a while she leaves and makes it on her own.

    SFHSx9on December 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe in the song she kills herself.

    "You're crazy for believin' You'll ever leave the ground" He said, "Only angels know how to fly" -I think this is foreshadowing that she will become an Angel.

    "One Sunday morning She didn't go to church He wondered why she didn't leave He went up to the bedroom Found a note by the window With the curtains blowin' in the breeze" -Went up to the bedroom. The bedroom is upstairs. A note by the window. A suicide note. Curtains blowin in the breeze; the window is open, and she jumped out. 'Man you ought to see her fly.'

    Just my opinion.

    redskinson January 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    NO NO NO!! She did NOT jump out of the window! He would of seen her on the ground if she did. The song is saying that by keeping her hope & dreams she is able to leave him, and that her spirt is damaged, but is still strong. She wouldn't jump out of the window if she had a strong spirt.

    hodvertigoon February 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    So by not going to church she has a strong spirit and faith? Why would the window be open exactly? How do you know he didn't see her body? Maybe her body was picked up already.

    redskinson February 20, 2006   Link

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