Lyric discussion by PursuitofLife 

Cover art for Mary lyrics by Oingo Boingo

The song really makes sense in a bery broad way, and the ambiguousness allows for many possibilities.

I think we can agree, however, that Mary comes from a white Christian (probably Catholic) family, in either a rural or suburban area. She's unhappy, she runs away, has some very painful yet eye-opening experiences, then realizes that she wants to go back to when she was innocent, but can't.

Or it could be a metaphor for a person changing as they grow older.

Or it could be that it's the story of Buddha, with the name "Mary" as a substitute for "Buddha"

Or it could refer to one of the biblical Marys.

Whatever it may be, it's a great song, and it sounds fantastic as well.