Chris Hillman (born Christopher Hillman, December 4, 1944, in Los Angeles, … Read Full Bio ↴Chris Hillman (born Christopher Hillman, December 4, 1944, in Los Angeles, California) was one of the original members of The Byrds with Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, and Michael Clarke. Hillman left the Byrds in 1968, joining Gram Parsons as a vocalist and guitarist in the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Along with Parsons, Chris Hillman was a key figure in the development of country rock, virtually defining America's most successful genre through his seminal work in the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Forgiveness
Chris Hillman Lyrics

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It's been a long time since I've heard those words spoken
Am Em G
I've had a long time to learn goodbye
Am Em G C
It takes a long time to heal a heart that's been broken
F G Am D Am D
Forgiveness is a word I want to live by
Am Em G C

How can this be you want to surrender
Am Em G
I'll admit I want the same
Am Em
And we'll leave the past behind
G C
Let old flames turn to cinder
F G Am
Forgiveness is a word I want to live by
F G C
Lovin' you is a word to make it right
G C D
Holdin' on taking one more chance
B7 Em
We can only fall so far
D G C D
Before we find that perfect circumstance
C G D A
To remind us of who we are tonight

SOLO

Am Em
So tonight say the word
G C
And I'll have an answer
Am Em G
Tonight we'll start all over again
Am Em
You won't be the heartbreaker
G C
And I won't be the dancer
F G Am
Forgiveness is a word I want to live by
F G Am
Lovin' you is the word to make it right
F G Am
Forgiveness is a word I want to live by

F G Am
Lovin' you is the word to make it right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chris Hillman's "Forgiveness" is a contemplation on the power of forgiveness in healing past relationships. The song begins by alluding to the pain of goodbye and how long it takes to heal a broken heart. The word "Forgiveness" serves as a beacon of hope in this situation. The singer expresses his desire to live by this word in order to leave the past behind and start anew.

In the second verse, the lyrics explore the idea of surrendering to each other and leaving the past behind. The imagery of old flames turning to cinder is a metaphor for letting go of past hurt and allowing the possibility of a new beginning. The chorus of the song emphasizes the themes of forgiveness and love, with the latter serving as a means to make things right.

Overall, this song is about acknowledging the pain of the past and allowing oneself to heal through the power of forgiveness and love. It speaks to the hopeful idea that even after heartbreak and goodbye, there is always the possibility of redemption and starting over.

Line by Line Meaning

It's been a long time since I've heard those words spoken
I haven't heard words about forgiveness in a while

I've had a long time to learn goodbye
I've had a long time to say goodbye and move on

It takes a long time to heal a heart that's been broken
It takes a while to mend a broken heart

Forgiveness is a word I want to live by
I want to be someone who forgives

How can this be you want to surrender
How can it be that you want to give up?

I'll admit I want the same
I want to give up too

And we'll leave the past behind
We'll move on from the past

Let old flames turn to cinder
We'll let our old love die out

Lovin' you is a word to make it right
Loving you will make everything right

Holdin' on taking one more chance
We're holding on and taking another chance

We can only fall so far
We can only go so low