Full Lyrics
1. Ashes alone remain when life is done;
Garlands and laurels wither, fade, and burn;
Nothing of ours has immortality;
Such is the wisdom humankind must learn.
2. Ashes remain; the fire of human pride
Burns and consumes the doer and the deed;
Nothing remains of all we try to hold:
Pride of possession, science, natture, creed.
3. Ashes alone are our best offering;
When all is ashes, we at last are free,
Free from the chains that keep us from God's
love, Free now to come in all humility.
4. From these cold ashes, gracious God of life,
As from the dust you molded Adam, raise
Our mortal bodies to eternal life
That we may offer you eternal praise.
Text: © 2016 Christopher L. Webber
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
