"Miss Mary" by Elvis Costello is a song with poetic and metaphorical lyrics that offer multiple interpretations. The song tells the story of a person, possibly the narrator, expressing their deep affection and admiration for a woman named Miss Mary. However, Miss Mary seems to be elusive and distant, symbolizing an unattainable ideal or an unrequited love. The lyrics mention angels announcing with trumpets and crowning Miss Mary with jewels and stars. This imagery suggests that Miss Mary is someone of great beauty and importance, admired by many. The mention of Hercules living next door to Venus and Mars portrays a celestial and mythical setting, further emphasizing Miss Mary's exceptional qualities. Despite Miss Mary's allure, the narrator acknowledges that something may trouble her. Perhaps Miss Mary carries a burden or faces challenges in her life. Nevertheless, the narrator acknowledges that since Miss Mary is surrounded by her friends (the angels), she may never come home or be within their reach. The narrator sings that they are nothing without Miss Mary and that everything they've done is wrong. It conveys their sense of dependency on Miss Mary for happiness and validation. The repeated attempts to not doubt Miss Mary's intentions and feelings further highlight the narrator's insecurities and longing for her. The lyrics also describe the narrator walking in a brilliant parade, possibly trying to showcase their achievements or change their ways for Miss Mary's approval. They express a desire to find Miss Mary, insinuating that she might be in the company of a Frenchman. This reference could symbolize Miss Mary being involved with someone else or having a different lifestyle that the narrator cannot compete with. The mention of Magdalena, a character from biblical stories, implies that Miss Mary is admired and desired by many, but also suggests a feeling of pity towards her. The narrator pleads for mercy, implying that they recognize Miss Mary's vulnerability and wish for her to be kind to them. The song continues with the narrator acknowledging that others only see Miss Mary as someone to possess, to lock away in a vault. The heavenly vision and the mention of dressing Miss Mary in blue represent how she is objectified and idealized by others, reducing her to a mere symbol of perfection and elegance. In the end, the narrator sings that they are nothing without Miss Mary and express their longing for her, acknowledging their mistakes and attempting to hold onto hope and faithfulness. The meaning of "Miss Mary" is open to interpretation and can vary based on individual perspectives. Overall, it conveys themes of unrequited love, longing, insecurity, and the complexities of romantic relationships.
