I fell under the spell of ambition
And not even for money
Just to have a chance to listen
To the back rows
Say honey
You’re surely worth the price of a ticket

Then with nerve and such pretension
I used religion
To explain a vision and this blessed position
To be an object of affection

My words feel so plain
And rehearsed when I say
Would you forgive me?

Does the fury of the mother
Not live in the daughter?
Is the darkness of the son
Not seen in the father?
I cast a perfect mask
But why bother?

Cause whatever girl I run with
Or at least am in love with
Will have to ask herself
What can I put up with?
And do I call him stranger or husband?
My words seem so plain
And rehearsed when I say
Would you forgive me?
Would you let it roll off your shoulders?
Would you let it fall to the ground?
Let me know when it’s over
So I can set it down

I fell under the spell of ambition
And not even for glory
Just to have the room’s attention
And tell my story
And let them sort the sadness out for me

And my words feel so plain
And rehearsed when I say
Would you forgive me?
Would you forgive me?
Would you forgive me?