Daisy Eagan is an American actress born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1979. She became famous at the age of 11 for playing Mary Lennox in the Broadway musical The Secret Garden, winning a Tony Award and becoming the youngest female to win one.
She began acting as a child, making her debut in Les Misérables. She has also acted in other Broadway shows, TV series like Good Trouble and Girls, and movies such as Losing Isaiah. Besides acting, Daisy has written for major publications and continues to perform on stage and screen.
About the Song
The Girl I Mean to Be is a heartfelt solo from the musical The Secret Garden, sung by the character Mary Lennox. The song expresses her deep wish to grow into a kinder and more open-hearted person.
With gentle music and thoughtful lyrics, it conveys the theme of personal growth and healing. It shows Mary’s inner journey as she begins to understand herself and the world around her.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Album | The Secret Garden (Original Broadway Cast) (1991) |
| Writers | Marsha Norman, Lucy Simon |
| Producers | Thomas Z. Shepard |
Read Full Lyrics of The Girl I Mean to Be
MARY
I need a place where I can go
Where I can whisper what I know
Where I can whisper who I like
And where I go to see them
I need a place where I can hide
Where no one sees my life inside
Where I can make my plans and write them down
So I can read them
A place where I can bid my heart be still
And it will mind me
A place where I can go when I am lost
And there I’ll find me
I need a place to spend the day
Where no one says to go or stay
Where I can take my pen and draw
The girl I mean to be
Similar Songs Like The Girl I Mean To Be
If you felt moved by The Girl I Mean to Be, these songs from The Secret Garden offer the same emotional depth and quiet beauty
- Come to My Garden: This gentle lullaby invites peace and safety, as Lily sings to Mary from beyond. It conveys warmth, comfort, and motherly love.
- A Bit of Earth: In this song, Archibald wonders what a lonely child could want with a bit of earth. It shows confusion and hidden care.
- Race You to the Top of the Morning: This tender father-son moment reveals Archibald’s love for Colin, mixed with fear and sorrow. It’s both playful and bittersweet in a painful way.
- Hold On: A strong, encouraging ballad where Martha urges Mary to stay hopeful. It’s filled with strength and heartfelt wisdom for troubled times.
Similar Artists Like Daisy Eagan
These artists are known for their work in Broadway musicals and have released cast albums that showcase their vocal and acting talents.
- Rebecca Luker
Genre: Musical Theatre, Broadway
Top Album: The Secret Garden (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Eden Riegel
Genre: Musical Theatre, Broadway
Top Album: Les Misérables (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Sutton Foster
Genre: Musical Theatre, Broadway
Top Album: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Laura Benanti
Genre: Musical Theatre, Broadway
Top Album: She Loves Me (2016 Broadway Cast Recording) - Kelli O’Hara
Genre: Musical Theatre, Broadway
Top Album: The Light in the Piazza (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Girl I Mean To Be have a Reprise in the Show?
No, it is performed as a single solo in Act I.
Is The Girl I Mean To Be Based on a Book?
Yes, it’s from the musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden.
Has The Girl I Mean To Be Been Covered by Other Artists?
Various performers have sung it in different productions, but Daisy Eagan’s version is most famous.
