[Verse 1]
They said, “We’ve been puttin’ out fires just to keep the peace,
Approvin’ every motion
so the tension will cease.
No need for debate, no call to inspire,
We’ll stamp it and move on—
ain’t nobody needin’ fire.”
[Refrain]
Gotta put out a —[FIRE!]
wherever we can,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Got fire-fightin’ methods
handy with a plan,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Don’t want the fuss,
don’t want the mess,
Tighten it up, keep it pressed—
That’s the way of the faithful man,
Puttin’ out fires.
[Verse 2]
Deacon Dan saw a candle,
squinted at the wick,
Said, “We can’t have wax on the carpet—better snuff it quick.”
When the youth got shoutin’,
hands up to the sky,
An usher whispered, “Tone it down, son—too much testify.”
[chorus 2]
Gotta put out a —[FIRE!]
before it gets loud,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Keep the calm, don’t stir the crowd,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Don’t want the fuss,
don’t want the mess,
Tighten it up, keep it pressed—
Keep it quiet, keep it inspired
Puttin’ out fires.
[Verse 3]
Sister Sheryl came home glowin’ from the mountain she’d been on,
Talked of mercy pourin’ down
from dusk till dawn.
We handed her a pamphlet
and a careful little plan:
“Let’s schedule a meeting,
we’ll assess that spirit, ma’am.”
[Chorus 3]
Gotta put out a —[FIRE!]
before it spreads wide,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Contain that joy, keep it dignified,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Don’t want the fuss,
don’t want the mess,
Tighten it up, keep it pressed—
Better safe than scorched, not inspired
Puttin’ out fires.
[Verse 4]
Young Tommy came from camp
with his Bible and a blaze,
Said, “Jesus came to find the lost,
He’s lighting up the place.”
We smiled and said,
“Now son, don’t start a crusade,
If someone walks on lost,
at least the bills get paid.”
[Chorus 4]
Gotta put out a —[FIRE!]
that boy’s too bright,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
He’s makin’ us nervous
in the Sunday light,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Don’t want the fuss,
don’t want the mess,
Tighten it up, keep it pressed—
We like smoke but not the fire,
Puttin’ out fires.
[Bridge ]
Now the Good Book says our
God’s a consuming flame,
But we filed that verse away—
too risky, too untame.
We keep Him safe with a story told,
‘Cause holy heat might stir the soul.
And still,
we wonder why the room’s so cold.
[Verse 5]
We told the preacher,
“Now brother, keep it mild,
Don’t preach so strong,
we might get reconciled.
If the sermons are quick and keen,
our conscience can stay nice and clean,
No need for truth to come in quite so mean.”
[Chorus 5]
Gotta put out a —[FIRE!]
wherever we can,
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Got fire-fightin’ methods handy with a plan
(Puttin’ out fires, puttin’ out fires!)
Don’t want the fuss,
Don't want the mess
Tighten it up, Keep it Pressed!
That's the way of the faithful man,
Puttin' out fires.
[Tag ]
So if you smell smoke on Sunday,
don’t call the crew,
Might be the Spirit knockin’,
tryin’ to burn through you.
Fan the flame, Lord, let it rise,
'til all that’s left is sanctified.
Let Your fire fall, and make us new.
Copyright © 2025. Craig Marvin Johnson. All Rights Reserved.