Heart of Matters
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Lyrics


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I've heard all of your parting lines
Can only say good-bye
So many times
Before you know you have
Nothing to show
For your pain
Sorry's a word you just can't
Seem to find
Does it ever enter your mind
I am in doubt you are
About to change

You can't just say I love you
You have to live I love you
I will forgive every time
But the last

I wish I could find a way
To sing the life back into you and I
But now I am afraid
It is just too late to lie

If your heart isn't in it




If you have nothing left to give
Won't you go on and let me live

Overall Meaning

In the song "Heart of Matters" by Ben Harper, the lyrics tell the story of a relationship that has come to an end. The singer has heard the same parting lines and goodbyes so many times that they've lost their meaning. The person they're addressing seems to be stuck in a cycle of apologies that they can't seem to follow through on. The singer is doubtful that the other person will change and that they're too late to make things right.


The chorus of the song emphasizes that simply saying "I love you" isn't enough, actions must follow. The singer is willing to forgive, but this cycle of pain and apologies can't keep going on. They wish they could find a way to salvage the relationship, but they're afraid it's too late.


The song captures the pain and frustration of a relationship that's lost its spark, but also the hope that something can be salvaged if both parties are willing to put in the effort.


Line by Line Meaning

I've heard all of your parting lines
I've listened to all the excuses you use to leave me.


Can only say goodbye so many times
I can only tolerate being left so many times.


Before you know you have nothing to show
Eventually, your constant leaving will leave you with nothing.


For your pain, sorry's a word you just can't seem to find
You can't seem to apologize for the hurt you've caused me.


Does it ever enter your mind?
Have you ever considered how your actions affect me?


I am in doubt you are about to change
I don't believe you're capable of changing your behavior.


You can't just say I love you
Words aren't enough, you have to show me love.


You have to live I love you
Love is a verb, it requires actions to back up the words.


I will forgive every time, but the last
I'm willing to forgive you, but there's a limit to how many times.


I wish I could find a way to sing the life back into you and I
I regret that our relationship has lost its spark and I can't revive it.


But now I am afraid it's just too late to lie
I don't have the energy to pretend everything's okay anymore.


If your heart isn't in it
If you're not committed to this relationship


If you have nothing left to give
If you've stopped putting effort into this relationship


Won't you go on and let me live
Please end this relationship if you're not willing to make it work.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BEN C HARPER, JASON CONRAD YATES, JUAN DWAYNE NELSON, LEON LEWIS MOBLEY, MICHAEL B. WARD, OLIVER FRANCIS CHARLES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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