Concrete Angel

Martina McBride is a famous singer, well known for her inspirational and heart wrenching songs.  One of her most popular compositions, Concrete Angel, definitely qualifies under that category.  This tear-jerking song is about a strong, little girl who is abused at home by her own mother.  Martina McBride uses many literary devices and other effects of make this beautiful song even more captivating.  

In Concrete Angel, McBride tells the story of a young girl who is severely, physically abused by her cruel mother.  The beginning describes the girl packing her own and walking herself to school.  She is wearing the same dress she wore the previous day, trying to hide bruises with the lace.  That night the neighbors hear a scream but just ignore it.  We discover that her fragile body could not take anymore of the beatings and she passed away that night. 

There are many literary devices included in this song.  For example, “...she stands hard as a stone” is a simile.  She is comparing the girl to a stone because she is so strong and brave despite everything that is happening to her.  Foreshadowing occurs when McBride says, “When morning comes it will be too late.”  By saying that we can infer that the poor girl will not make it through the night.  Alliteration is portrayed in the verse. “bearing the burden of a secret storm.”  The title itself is a metaphor because even though she is not really made of concrete, it’s describing her inner strength.  

Concrete Angel is affected significantly by certain effects, such as the video.  Although the lyrics are powerful enough on their own, the music video intensifies it even more.  It shows a superior amount of imagery.  The video portrays another story not apparent in the lyrics of a little boy, who in the end is revealed to be the abused girls guardian angel.  Martina McBride’s southern drawl also gives the song a warm sort of feeling.  One can almost hear a slight bit of hope in her voice for the girl.  

In conclusion, the lyrics of Martina McBride’s song Concrete Angel are amazing on their own but would not be the same without the clever literary devices she used or the effects, especially the video.  Combining all three of those elements creates a wonderful, well put together song.