If You Ask
Faith Hill Lyrics


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Well I've come to know the look on your face
When you're lying about where you've been
Or how much you spent

I know when you will raise your fingers
To your mouth as if to wipe away the shame
It's not a game I know you feel bad
[Chorus]
If you ask for my forgiveness
If you call my name I will come
If you ask for my love I will give you some

Someday I know you will understand
Someday you'll finally realize
What you're doing to yourself

[Chorus]

We've been dancing to
That same old song over and over again
I want to be your lover
I don't want to be your policeman

So tonight when you finally make
Your way back to our door
I'll let you sleep it off like I did the night before

When you ask for my forgiveness
When you call my name I will come
When you ask for my love I will give you some

In the morning I will get you up and




I will smile just when you want me to
'Cause I'm, I'm all you have

Overall Meaning

Faith Hill's song 'If You' appears to be a powerful interpretation of a relationship fraught with tension, lying, and shame. The first verse starts with the singer's notable recognition of the look on her partner's face when he's lying about where he's been or how much he spent, and she's aware of how he feels, the remorse and the guilt he has. In the chorus part, she speaks of her willingness to provide forgiveness and the warmth of her love should he reach out to her, but she genuinely hopes he understands and realizes the pain he's causing himself someday. She then expresses her genuine longing to be his lover rather than his police, emphasizing that she's all he has.


The second verse talks more about the couple's dynamics, repeatable patterns and actual events, with the singer not wanting to have a sense of power over her partner, but to be able to trust him so that they can enjoy their relationship more fully. It is a display of compassion and understanding for someone in a severely tough spot. The song seems to suggest that she's not being blind to her situation, but understands that her partner is dealing with more profound issues and is there for them in any way.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I've come to know the look on your face
I can tell when you're lying by the expression on your face.


When you're lying about where you've been
You lie about where you've been and what you've been doing.


Or how much you spent
You also lie about how much money you've spent.


I know when you will raise your fingers
I know your mannerisms and body language.


To your mouth as if to wipe away the shame
I can tell you feel guilty by the way you touch your face.


It's not a game I know you feel bad
I understand that you're not just playing around, and you actually regret what you've done.


If you ask for my forgiveness
If you admit your wrongdoing and apologize,


If you call my name I will come
I will be there for you if you need me.


If you ask for my love I will give you some
I am willing to forgive and love you despite your mistakes.


Someday I know you will understand
One day, I hope you will realize the impact of your actions.


Someday you'll finally realize
Eventually, you will come to this realization.


What you're doing to yourself
You are harming yourself with your behavior.


We've been dancing to
Our relationship has been stuck in a cycle of the same patterns.


That same old song over and over again
We keep repeating the same mistakes and problems.


I want to be your lover
I want to have a healthy and loving relationship with you.


I don't want to be your policeman
I don't want to constantly monitor and control your actions.


So tonight when you finally make
When you come home,


Your way back to our door
I will let you back in without judgment.


I'll let you sleep it off like I did the night before
I will allow you to rest and recover from your actions.


When you ask for my forgiveness
If you admit your wrongdoing and apologize,


When you call my name I will come
I will be there for you if you need me.


When you ask for my love I will give you some
I am willing to forgive and love you despite your mistakes.


In the morning I will get you up and
The next day,


I will smile just when you want me to
I will try to make you feel better and comfort you.


'Cause I'm, I'm all you have
Despite everything, I still love you and am here for you.




Lyrics © MELANIE HOWARD MUSIC, INC.

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