[Verse 1]
Have I told you
Lately that I love you?
If I didn't, darlin'
You see, I'm so sorry
Didn't I reach out
And hold you
In lovin' arms?
Well, if I didn't, oh baby
Well, I'm so sorry

[Chorus]
When I realized
That you need love too
Gonna spend my life
Makin' love to you
Got to be a lover
Have mercy
Forgot to be a lover, babe (Have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover (Have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover
Make it on through to you somehow (Have mercy, baby)
Got to be a lover, babe (Forgot to be a lover)
Woo! Yeah! Woo!

[Verse 2]
Well, did I ask you
Yes, would you come and share
Oh, share
Oh, the burden and the task
That's at love's command?
Didn't I say
All those lovin' special things
That you long to hear?
To show how much I care
[Chorus]
Well, when I realize
That you need love too
I'm gonna spend my life
Makin' love to you
Forgot to be a lover
Have mercy
Well, well, I worked all day
As hard as I can
Worked all night, didn't make me a man
(Forgot to be a lover)
Have mercy, ooh
When I realized
That you need love too
Gonna spend my life
Makin' love to you (Forgot to be a lover)
Got to be a lover, babe
Oo, have mercy (Have mercy)
Have mercy, baby (Have mercy, baby)
I'm gonna make it on through
To you somehow
So have mercy (Have mercy, have mercy, baby)

[Verse 3]
Have I told you
Yes, lately that I love you?
If I didn't, oh baby
Yes, I'm so sorry
Ah, but you know I really love you, baby (Love you, baby)
I really love you, baby (Love you, baby)
I really need you, baby (Need you, baby)
I really want you, baby (Want you, baby)
[Guitar solo]

[Chorus]
When I realized
That you need love too
I'm gonna spend my life
Makin' love
Makin' love
Makin' love to you
Well, I worked all day
As hard as I can
Worked all night
It didn't make me a man, babe
(Forgot to be a lover) (Have mercy)
Oo, have mercy, baby (Have mercy)
Have mercy, baby (Have mercy)
Oo, have mercy, baby (Have mercy, baby)
Oo, make it on through
Well, when I realized that you need love too
I'm gonna spend my life
Gotta spend my life makin' love to you
Have mercy, baby
Have mercy, baby
I'm gonna love you, baby....