The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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)
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
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.