“Hate Won’t Heal Us” is a song born out of heartbreak—and written in the hope of healing.
In the aftermath of a tragic week in America—marked by political assassinations, school shootings, and the shadow of September 11th—Demming adds his voice to Nashville’s long tradition of message ballads that speak when words alone aren’t enough. Like Alan Jackson’s "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," this song leans on simple truths: we all bleed the same, and we all need love.
The imagery is stark yet universal: church bells ringing like cries, a flag that no longer waves but sighs, neighbors standing silent in search of answers. At its core, "Hate Won’t Heal Us" is a reminder that anger and division won’t mend us—only love ever does.
Part hymn, part country ballad, it’s a song meant for living rooms, vigils, and maybe even stadiums—anywhere people gather when their hearts are heavy. It isn’t about politics; it’s about people. It isn’t about sides; it’s about souls.
For listeners who have ever prayed for healing after tragedy, this song is a hand to hold.
Lyrics
I heard church bells ringing, but it felt like a cry
The flag in the front yard didn't wave, it sighed
Neighbors stood silent, staring at the ground
Prayin' for answers in a world torn down
Hate won't heal us, it just tears apart
You can't find the truth at the end of a gun
We all bleed the same, we all want love
Hate won't heal us, only love ever does
I remember a morning when the skies were clear
We swore we'd hold each other closer that year
Now the headlines divide us, louder every day
But we're all God's children at the end of the darkest of days
Hate won't heal us, it just tears apart
You can't find the truth at the end of a gun
We all bleed the same, we all want love
Hate won't heal us, only love ever does
We can't keep shootin' holes in the same old boat
If we don't row together, we'll never float
One voice, one prayer, one hand to hold
That's the only way back home
Hate won't heal us, it just tears our hearts apart
You can't find the truth at the end of a gun
We all bleed the same, we all need love
Hate won't heal us, only love ever does
Hate won't heal us, only love ever does