Ashes

Tom Conry's "Ashes" is a profound and familiar staple for Ash Wednesday and the broader Lenten season. It captures the stark reality of human failing—the "good we've failed to do"—and turns it into a sincere prayer for renewal. When the choir leads this piece, it sets a tone of honest reflection, reminding the congregation that God accepts our brokenness just as readily as our triumphs.

The text moves from acknowledging our "stumblings" and "dreams not fully dreamt" to a hopeful plea for healing and direction. Musically, the melody is steady and grounded, allowing the weight of the words to carry clearly through the church. It is especially fitting during the imposition of ashes or as an Offertory hymn during Lent, as we literally and spiritually bring our "offering of ashes" to the altar.

By the final verse, the song shifts into a quiet doxology, thanking the Father, Son, and Spirit for the grace that "creates the world anew." It leaves singers and listeners with a quiet sense of hope—the reassurance that even from the dust of our mistakes, something true and living can grow.