WE ARE ASHES

"We Are Ashes" is a poignant, reflective piece tailored perfectly for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season. The lyrics draw directly from the traditional imposition of ashes, reminding the congregation of our human frailty and mortality. When the choir sings "We are ashes, dust we come," it sets a somber, grounding tone for the beginning of the penitential season.

The structure is simple but deeply effective, allowing the message to remain at the forefront. The verses move from the physical reality of our creation—being formed from the dust of the earth—to a spiritual plea for purification, echoing Psalm 51 with the words "wash me completely from my iniquity." This progression gives the choir a chance to lead the faithful from a stark acknowledgment of death into a humble prayer for God's mercy.