The Tattooed Girl
The Goblin Market Lyrics


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He bought you a book he gave you a room
Pretends that he's kind you know he is cruel
And something cold is rising in you

Why does he watch you want you to speak
You see him shaking you see that he's weak
You grind the glass for him to eat
Who was it that scarred you
Who was it that marred you
What was it that hardened you this way

A broken heart is still beating under that skin
The cracks are waiting for love to get in
Love blows by in the wind
Life blows by in the wind

Who was it that scarred you





Who was it that marred you
What was it that hardened you to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Tattooed Girl" by The Goblin Market tell a story of an abusive relationship. The first few lines depict the man in the relationship as a kind and generous person who buys the girl a book and gives her a room. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this man is cruel and manipulative. The girl starts feeling something "cold" rising in her, which could be interpreted as fear or a sense of emptiness. The man watches her and wants her to speak, but she knows that he has ulterior motives, and she sees his weakness and shakes with him. The line "You grind the glass for him to eat" is particularly powerful because it symbolizes the girl's own self-destruction in order to please the man.


The chorus of the song asks who scarred and marred the girl and what hardened her to this extent. The lines "A broken heart is still beating under that skin / The cracks are waiting for love to get in" suggest that the girl has been hurt and damaged emotionally, but she is still capable of love. However, love seems to pass her by as "life blows by in the wind." The song ends with the repeated line "What was it that hardened you to me," implying that the relationship between the girl and the man has distanced them and she is left wondering how she ended up in that situation.


Line by Line Meaning

He bought you a book he gave you a room
He gave you material things, a place to stay, but it doesn't mean he truly cares


Pretends that he's kind you know he is cruel
He fakes kindness, but deep down he is deliberately hurtful


And something cold is rising in you
You are starting to feel a sense of detachment, indifference and numbness


Why does he watch you want you to speak
He observes you closely and desires to manipulate your words and actions for his own benefit


You see him shaking you see that he's weak
Despite his attempts to control and dominate, his insecurities and vulnerabilities show through his physical mannerisms


You grind the glass for him to eat
You willingly subject yourself to harm and pain in order to please him


Who was it that scarred you
Someone in your past has caused you emotional damage and left a profound impact on you


Who was it that marred you
Someone has disfigured and damaged your physical appearance, leaving you with scars


What was it that hardened you this way
The traumatic events in your past have made you emotionally closed off and guarded


A broken heart is still beating under that skin
You are still emotionally vulnerable and hurting, despite trying to appear tough and indifferent


The cracks are waiting for love to get in
You want to be loved and healed, but you fear getting hurt again


Love blows by in the wind
Love seems fleeting and transient, never providing the comfort and security you crave


Life blows by in the wind
Life is short and unpredictable, leaving you feeling lost and disconnected


What was it that hardened you to me
Despite your willingness to please and suffer for him, he cannot penetrate your emotional walls and connect with you




Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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