BarlowGirl - Porcelain Heart Lyrics
Lyrics
Broken heart one more time
Pick yourself up, why even cry
Broken pieces in your hands
Wonder how you'll make it whole
Chorus:
You know, you pray
This can't be the way
You cry, you say
Something's gotta change
And mend this porcelain heart of mine
Someone said "A broken heart
Would sting at first then make you stronger"
You wonder why this pain remains
Were hearts made whole just to break
Creator only You take brokenness
And create it into beauty once again
Video
Porcelain Heart
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on August 29, 2006, as part of BarlowGirl's *Another Journal Entry (Expanded Edition)*, "Porcelain Heart" delves into the raw and often painful experience of heartbreak, presenting a narrative of profound spiritual resilience. The song doesn't shy away from the immediate sting of shattered expectations, acknowledging the visceral feeling of being left with broken pieces and the overwhelming question of how to make them whole again. It captures that moment of despair when one cries out, desperately hoping for a different path, a change, a divine intervention to mend what feels irrevocably fractured. The title itself, "Porcelain Heart," is a powerful metaphor for fragility, hinting at something precious yet easily damaged, something beautiful that requires careful handling and skillful repair. This imagery resonates deeply with the human condition, where our emotional and spiritual selves can feel as delicate as fine china.
The core of the song’s message lies in its unwavering trust in the Creator’s ability to transform brokenness into beauty. It recognizes that while pain can feel unending and the reasons for suffering elusive, God's power transcends our understanding. The lyrics articulate a profound truth found throughout Scripture: that God can take the scattered fragments of our lives, the remnants of disappointment and loss, and reassemble them into something new and more exquisite than before. This is the essence of redemption, a theme woven through the biblical narrative. Think of Isaiah 61:3, where the Lord promises to bestow on Zion “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” This verse perfectly mirrors the song's trajectory from despair to hope. Furthermore, the song echoes the sentiment in Romans 8:28, which assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This isn't to say that God *causes* the brokenness, but rather that He is able to work *through* it, shaping us and bringing about a greater good and a more profound beauty. The struggle depicted in the chorus, the yearning for change, is a prayerful acknowledgment of our limitations and a testament to our faith in a God who specializes in restoration, who can take what is shattered and, through His divine artistry, create a masterpiece of healing and renewed purpose.