"The Wind Cries Mary" is a song by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in 1967. The lyrics suggest a tale of loneliness, heartbreak, and the search for happiness amidst a broken world. The song opens with lines describing a desolate scene where the clowns have retired for the night and happiness seems elusive. The narrator hears the whispers of the wind, symbolizing a longing for companionship and comfort. As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to a broom sweeping up the remnants of a shattered past, perhaps signifying the aftermath of a failed relationship. References to a crying queen and a king without a wife suggest feelings of loss and abandonment. The lyrics then delve into a sense of hopelessness, with the traffic lights turning blue, a color associated with sadness. The metaphor of a tiny island sagging downstream depicts a life in decline, emphasizing the finality and emptiness of a life now gone. In the chorus, the wind is personified and referred to as "Mary," a name that represents a sense of familiarity and emotional connection. The wind expressing itself in screams indicates a deep anguish and emotional turmoil. Towards the end, the narrator ponders whether the wind will remember the names it has encountered before. However, the wind, embodying wisdom, claims that this will be the last time it whispers those names, suggesting a resignation to the inevitability of change and loss. Overall, the lyrics of "The Wind Cries Mary" combine melancholy, introspection, and a longing for someone who understands. It captures a universal human experience of facing heartbreak and trying to find solace within an indifferent world.
