Lyrics This House - Janis Ian

This House

I built this house out of cedar wood
And I laid the beams by hand
One for every false heart I had known
One for the true heart I planned
Laid the windows tight against the wind
So in the winter we’d be warm
I built a bedroom out of solid oak
Safety from the storm
This house is burning
This house is on fire
When you whisper to the walls
It’s another’s name you call
Even your tongue’s become a liar
This house is on fire
Stole the heart of a cherry wood
And I built a door to last
It was thick enough to keep all thieves away
When the long nights came to pass
Then one day there was a hint of spring
And there were roses in the air
We opened wide enough to let you in
I was glad to share
This house is burning
This house is on fire
When you whisper to the walls
It’s another’s name you call
Even your satin sheets are liars
This house is on fire
I said — I’ve built a good foundation
Built on faith and hope
But the fireplace is strong
Put it out when you are gone
Or the whole damned thing will go up in smoke
This house is burning
This house is on fire
When you whisper to the walls
It’s another’s name you call
Even your body is a liar
This house is on fire