The Heart of the Matter

I have pondered the lyrics to the popular Don Henley song, “The Heart of the Matter,” and find some of them very provocative in illuminating the issue that terminates so many otherwise promising relationships.  I quote a portion of those lyrics below:

I thought of all the bad luck,
and the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are those voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment
and beg for something more?

I've been tryin' to get down
to the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
and my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
...people filled with rage . . .
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?

The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess . . .
Pride and competition
cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us  
doesn't keep me warm

I've been trying to get down
to the heart of the matter
But everything changes
and my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

There are people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down and hurt your pride
Better put it all behind you; life goes on
[For if] You keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside

I've been trying to get down
to the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
and my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me

I've been tryin' to get down
to the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
and the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me

(Writer(s): Don Henley, John Souther, Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley, Don Wayne
Copyright: Emi Harmonies Ltd., Emi Blackwood Music Inc., Woody Creek Music, Coal Miners Music Inc.)

It is about forgiveness—and the pride that keeps it from happening. We must forgive if we, too, are to be forgiven.