We rise again from ashes

"We rise again from ashes" is a deeply moving piece that finds its natural home during the Lenten season, particularly on Ash Wednesday. The text speaks directly to the heart of repentance and renewal—acknowledging the good we have failed to do and offering our very failures and stumbling attempts to God. It is a gentle reminder that from the ashes of our shortcomings, God can create our lives anew.

Patrick Agu's musical setting brings a reflective solemnity to these words. As the choir moves through the verses, the harmony supports the vulnerability of the lyrics, shifting from the stark reality of "spring turned to winter" to the hopeful plea for healing and wider vision. The optional intro and the lingering outro frame the piece beautifully, allowing the congregation to meditate on the recurring motif of rising from the ashes.

In the choir loft, this is a song that calls for expressive, unhurried singing. The phrasing needs to breathe, giving weight to the profound act of offering our brokenness to the Lord. It serves perfectly as an Offertory hymn during Lent, drawing the whole church into a shared moment of contrition and quiet hope.