After I Say I'm Sorry
Bobby Hackett and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
I hope you'll forgive and forget
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
You made me glad, I made you sad
I made you lonesome and blue
And who ever knew
Who'd ever think that I would be crying to you
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
The lyrics of "After I Say I'm Sorry" by Bobby Hackett and His Orchestra reveal a sense of remorse and regret for past mistakes in a relationship. The singer expresses sorrow for making their partner cry and being hurtful towards them, acknowledging that they were "all wrong" and offering their apologies. They admit that they were "mean" and should not be let off easily, but still hope for forgiveness and forgetting of the past.
The tone of the song is melancholic and reflective, with the singer acknowledging their fault in creating the pain and sadness experienced by their partner. They ask what they can do or say to make amends, while recognizing that this may not be enough to undo the hurt that has been caused. The repeated refrain of "What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?" emphasizes the difficulty of repairing a damaged relationship, and the sense of helplessness that can come with that process.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why, I made you cry
I can't explain why I hurt you.
I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
I apologize, even though it may not be enough.
Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
You have every right to be angry with me.
I hope you'll forgive and forget
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and move on from this.
What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
I don't know what else I can say to make things right.
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I want to make it up to you somehow, but I don't know how.
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
My intentions were never to hurt you in any way.
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
My emotions are proof that I care deeply about you.
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
I was in the wrong, but I don't hold you responsible.
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
You don't deserve to be treated poorly by someone like me.
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
I understand that my actions caused you pain and I'm truly sorry.
You made me glad, I made you sad
I brought you joy, but also caused you sorrow.
I made you lonesome and blue
My actions caused you to feel lonely and unhappy.
And who ever knew
No one could have predicted this outcome.
Who'd ever think that I would be crying to you
It may seem unlikely, but now it's my turn to need your comfort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WALTER DONALDSON, ABE LYMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind