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JFH Indie Song Lyrics

Artist List   /   The American Hotel System   /   Can You Hear It? - EP


         

03. Fire

Can You Hear It? - EP
by The American Hotel System

       
Lyrics:

V1
I've heard that pens swing harder than swords
We fight with words in this war
The nib is a match, it ignites with a flash
Consuming my heart with the roar

PC1
Words are the flames that burn in our lungs
Consuming us all when they're sung

CH
They say fire will heal me, fire will cleanse me
Fire will turn things around
But this fire is hurting; it’s making me dirty
Fire is burning me down

V2
I've heard that pens cut deeper than knives;
The tools we abuse in this life
A heart that's ablaze will keep singing the rage
And thinks it can tell you who's right

PC2
The flame that takes all is my judgment call
It lights as my gavel falls

CH
They say fire will heal me, fire will cleanse me
Fire will turn things around
But this fire is hurting; it’s making me dirty
Fire is burning me down, yeah

V3
As long as I've lived I've used notes as a shiv
To stoke flames with eyes to the floor
So love help me see what my life could be
When I look up instead of ignore

CH
They say fire will heal me, fire will cleanse me
Fire will turn things around
But this fire is hurting; it’s making me dirty
Fire is burning me down

END
Yeah, I’ve heard that pens swing harder than swords
So we fight with words in this war.


Lyrics by Jacob L. Betts (ASCAP IPI #1095371544)

Behind the Song:
'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.' This phrase, commonly heard during childhood, fails to acknowledge the profound impact words can have on individuals. From my experience, I have yet to meet someone who hasn't been deeply affected by the words of others. After thorough research, it appears that this phrase originated around 1862 as an anti-bullying sentiment, persisting in Western culture to this day. However, 23 years prior to that, Edward Bulwer-Lytton introduced the phrase 'The pen is mightier than the sword!' in his play Richelieu. This usage was a variation of the older saying 'the word is mightier than the sword' (from 500 BCE), which itself stems from the belief that 'the tongue is mightier than the blade' (from 406 BCE), rooted in Biblical and Talmudic writings. I firmly believe that words are powerful tools entrusted to us to uplift and encourage others. Like any tool, they can be misused and wielded as destructive weapons. One of my greatest personal struggles has been pride and arrogance, which easily transform into hurtful remarks. It's like an all-consuming fire that engulfs me, leaving my soul scorched. This song serves as a daily reminder for me to be silent, look upward, and listen attentively (“Love help me see what my life could be when I look up instead of ignore”). -- Jacob Betts
                 
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This Friday, November 28, 2025
ALBUMS
Seth Davey Words in the Wounds (independent)
Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc Two (independent)
Illustrate, Procyse In The Name (Remixes) [Polished Arrow]
John P. Kee Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Part 1 [Tyscot]
Kelo The Healing Process 2: Grief [Syntax]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Concrete Dreams [Syntax]
Phil Wickham Psalm 8 - EP [Fair Trade]
Calum Wood Christmas Songs from the Kitchen Table, Vol. 1 (independent)

SINGLES
Ashes Awaken For You - Single [MTS]
Ian Austin Simpler Times (feat. Heather Suzanne) - Single [Ocean House]
Chris Caro & OnBeatMusic Flicker - Single [Syntax]
Cutright Slide Thru - Single [Syntax]
Mark Fonseca No Vacancy - Single (independent)
Hillside Recording Unto Us - Single [Ocean House]
Knaladeus & Braille Iron Sharpens Iron - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake x Skema Boy No Idols - Single [Provident]
Kemara Lynn Apply Pressure (feat. DKG KIE) - Single (independent)
Oscar Nash Peace on Earth (feat. Jemimah Paine) - Single (independent)
Saints in Exile & Cutright My Dead End (Orchestral Remix) ft. Jeannie Ortega, Jericko & Luc DiMarzio - Single [Syntax]
Silent Reflection Erase - Single [Syntax]
Tds Cam, De'Aris & Craig Watson, Wayne Klassik, & YAGIRLLAYC Prayers For My Enemies (Rapzilla Freshmen) - Single [Syntax]
TUVÍ, Yung Drew & 1KChvcho One Hundred (Rapzilla Freshmen) - Single [Syntax]
We Will Worship, Vine & Vibes (ft.Lisa Oduor-Noah) Ndiyabulela - Single (independent)

VINYL
John Schlitt The Christmas Project Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, December 5, 2025
SINGLES
29:11 Worship Glory Glory - Single [DREAM]
Cleansing Of The Temple Mary Did You Know? - Single [Rottweiler]
Heather Suzanne, Ian Austin Sleeping Child of Bethlehem - Single [Ocean House]
Living Again Dive Into - Single [Ocean House]
Seth Metoyer Flicker Of December - Single [Rottweiler/Broken Curfew]
Run51 Good News (A Christmas Medley) - Single [DREAM]


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