You don't have to say you're sorry
We all make mistakes, I've made my share, oh
You don't have to say you're sorry
I don't need those words to know you care 
Explanations aren't required even though you think you should
I don't need to know the reasons, No, not even if they're good
You don't have to say you're sorry, But I sure do wish you would 

You don't have to say you're sorry
and that's a silly game that children play, oh
You don't have to say you're sorry, no
No, you shouldn't have to live that way 

You don't have to say you're sorry
Cause we're both too old it's true
Well they say when you love someone, forgiveness is the rule
You don't have to say you're sorry, But I sure do wish you would 

Explanations aren't required, even though you think you should
I don't need to know your reasons
No, not even if they're good
You don't have to say you're sorry
But I sure do wish you would, I wish you would


Written by Patti Austin