[verse 1] i've been doing a lot of healing from the things i put you through had to sit with all that guilt and learn to give myself some room i know you haven't said it's okay but i can tell you need your space so i took the weight of forgiving me right off your plate [pre-chorus] and it wasn't easy being kind to someone like me but somebody had to be the bigger person and i think we both agree [chorus] i forgive myself on your behalf you don't have to thank me, you don't have to ask i've made my peace with what i did to you and i hope someday you make yours too oh, it took some strength, it took some grace to look myself right in the face and give the love you couldn't give i forgive myself on your behalf [verse 2] i wrote a letter from your perspective just to see what you might say and the version of you inside my head was proud of how far i've come today i know your silence speaks volumes but i've learned not to take it personally sometimes people need a little time to catch up emotionally [pre-chorus] and i won't rush your journey every heart heals at its pace i've already reached acceptance but i'll save you a little space [chorus] i forgive myself on your behalf you don't have to thank me, you don't have to ask i've made my peace with what i did to you and i hope someday you make yours too oh, it took some strength, it took some grace to look myself right in the face and give the love you couldn't give i forgive myself on your behalf [bridge: piano drops to near silence; single voice, intimate and trembling] i used to need you to forgive me and that wasn't fair to you so i stopped putting that burden on your shoulders and did what you couldn't do [choir enters softly] you don't owe me understanding you don't owe me absolution i've done enough for both of us to reach a resolution [final chorus: full choir, soaring harmonies, ecstatic handclaps] i forgive myself on your behalf what a beautiful thing, to let go of the past i've made my peace with what i did to you and i pray that someday you make yours too oh, it took some strength, it took some grace to look myself right in the face and give the love you couldn't give i forgive myself on your behalf [outro: choir repeats softly as instruments fade] i forgive myself i forgive myself you can take your time i forgive myself [final whispered vocal, completely sincere] you're welcome.
