[Repeat: x2]
Exchanging beauty
For the ashes
Given my heart
To nothing real

I've given my heart away
To so many things
So many times I've failed
Help me stop this endless cycle
Remind me of how it can be

Take me back
I surrender all
Without you
My heart is broken

[Repeat: x5]
I never should have let you go
I never should have let you slip
Through my arms

[Repeat: x3]
As the sun sets tonight
I'll hold you with all that I am

[Repeat: x3]
I never should have let you go
Promise me
You'll stay with me forever
Forever

[Repeat: x2]
Forgive me
For running so quickly to the outside


Lyrics submitted by NiTRo_BrAT

American Love Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

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American Love song meanings
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46 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    For all of you don't know this band loves Jesus, and they express that unashamedly at their shows.

    This song is definite liy about straying away from the Lord Jesus Christ and being broken inside so hard, that the lord brings you to your knees and you have to return Him. I know this because I have A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have expericened exactly what this song says.

    Exchanging Beauty For The Ashes Placing your hearts desire on the filth that this world can be considered the "ashes", or the ways of your life before meeting Christ. Straying back to these ways would definitely be exchanging the "Beauty" of Christ for the ashes.

    Given My Heart To Nothing Real Christ is real and the ways of this world will never ammount to anything in the kingdom of Heaven.

    I've Given My Heart Away To So Many Things The writer could have given his heart away to Pornography, alcohol, or anything that doesn't please the Lord according to His word.

    So Many Times I've Failed The writer has fallen short of the glory of God and therefore he has failed in pleasing God many times.

    Help Me Stop This Endless Cycle Remind Me Of How It Can Be The writer is trapped in the cycle of sin and is probably faced with extreme guilt. He wants the Lord to remind him of how it was before he strayed away from God's favor and into the cyle of sin.

    Take Me Back I Surrender All Without You My Heart Is Broken At this point the writer is crying out to God, giving up whatever sin that is holding him back from serving the Lord, Because without the Lord his heart is broken.

    I Never Should Have Let You Go I Never Should Have Let You Slip Through My Arms The writer comes to the realization that it was so stupid to run away to the ways of the world and let God go.

    As The Sun Sets Tonight I'll Hold You With All That I Am I Never Should Have Let You Go Promise Me Youll Stay With Me Forever Forever The writer is running back to the Fathers arms and is holding on with all he has. He tells the Lord to promise to stay with him forever because he is still a little insecure because he has hurt Gods heart, even though God will never leave him.

    Forgive Me For Running So Quickly To The Outside Forgive me Father for going to back the same old sin and leaving your safe arms.

    AMINUTEtoPRayon January 05, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The title i think is intersting "American Love" kind of shows how us Americans are wishy washy when it comes down to about everything that requires work, in this case a relationship with either God or loved one (personally i thought it was God). And if you dont like reading about Christ, maybe you shouldnt listen to Christian music. I hate having to read all this swearing and what not in comments about Christian music, rather it here, youtube, myspace or whatever. If you dont like Christianity, dont listen to Christian music. Im not causing trouble with sadists, why does it always come back our way?

    xxcfl09on July 11, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think its about a girl. god is fake anyways.

    miked74on January 29, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    HTD is very religious but not every song is religious like the perfect night. American Love can be both about christ and Love because not all songs have 1 meaning.

    I see it more as a girl because it describes alot about the average American love especially the feelings of a teen after being dumped or rejected. The title kinda points to that in more of my opinion. In the beginning GIVEN MY HEART TO NOTHING REAL is saying basically in a way feeling that the love was fake but at the soft part it shows that he misses this girl and the end FORGIVE ME FOR RUNNING SO QUICKLY TO THE OUTSIDE... forgiveness either way this song can be religious also

    xKingNothingxon April 17, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Okay theirs a lot of people saying its about a "Girl" and there is also a lot of people saying its about "God" To me its about both! Its about a girl cause hes talking about how hes meet so man girls and have not like any of them and how he thought he didn't like her and then realized that he did and is asking her to come back! And hes also asking god to help him and how he knows he didn't let god in on any of his relationships and how hes asking him to help him get her back!

    Bofaaon August 09, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I find these lyrics have a lot of meaning with me, but I see it more of as a relationship.. it could be about God, but it just seems so closed minded to decide any song by a religious band is about God. I think it really depends on how it pertains to you individually... which in this case, it sounds like a broken relationship.. I really love the line where he asks her or whoever to stay with him forever.

    andthetruthcomesouton August 14, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It seems to me that its about a girl more then God. i mean i guess it could work but american love i wouldnt think would have anything to do with God.

    rockrsk8rgon September 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    AMAZING SONG...how has no1 commented on this... haste the day rawks

    HasteTheDayon June 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Haste The Day is amazing!!! This has to be one of my favorite songs of all time, specially the slow singing part. I just saw them live a few days ago and they were incredible!

    What this song is talking about (in my opinion) is giving into sin and falling back on evil/sinful things, and then later realizing what you did wrong, and you realize God will always be there for you and without him you are (sort of) hopeless. "Take Me Back I Surrender All Without You My Heart Is Broken "

    The part that starts off as "I never should have let you go" is soo beautiful, awesome vocals, and I love how they have 2 people singing different things. I think this part is about letting God back into your life and stuff. Thats just my thoughts on it, let me know what you think. Take Care

    AmericanLoveon September 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i agree..to some point.

    poisonawellon November 08, 2004   Link

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