This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I thought if you weren't busy we might have lunch tomorrow
And talk about a few things laying heavy on my mind
I'll get the corner table in that cozy little cafe
Where we used to go back in the better times when you are mine
The years rolled by like thunder, we're not getting any younger
And I think it's time I made a few amends
I'd like to look you in the eyes and tell you I apologize
Besides I want us to be friends
[Chorus]
Forgiveness, this phone call's all about forgiveness
It's too late to work things out for me and you
But there's still somethings I feel I've got to do
Like say 'I'm sorry' and ask forgiveness
I could make up a lot of excuses for the way that I acted
I could blame it on impatiences, arrogance or on my youth
But the bottom line is I was simply a fool
And there is no excuse for the truth
But I just wanna make sure that
Before any more water runs under the bridge
And anymore time passes us by that you understand
How much I regret everything that happened
That I still love you and I will till the day that I die
[Chorus]
Forgiveness, this phone call's all about forgiveness
And talk about a few things laying heavy on my mind
I'll get the corner table in that cozy little cafe
Where we used to go back in the better times when you are mine
The years rolled by like thunder, we're not getting any younger
And I think it's time I made a few amends
I'd like to look you in the eyes and tell you I apologize
Besides I want us to be friends
[Chorus]
Forgiveness, this phone call's all about forgiveness
It's too late to work things out for me and you
But there's still somethings I feel I've got to do
Like say 'I'm sorry' and ask forgiveness
I could make up a lot of excuses for the way that I acted
I could blame it on impatiences, arrogance or on my youth
But the bottom line is I was simply a fool
And there is no excuse for the truth
But I just wanna make sure that
Before any more water runs under the bridge
And anymore time passes us by that you understand
How much I regret everything that happened
That I still love you and I will till the day that I die
[Chorus]
Forgiveness, this phone call's all about forgiveness
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Forgiveness Lyrics as written by Wariner Anderson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.