Program Notes - Prayers from the Ashes

PROGRAM NOTES

The title Prayers from the Ashes, suggested by dear friend Alexandra Gomez Robbins, refers to both the mourning of sackcloth  and ashes but also renewed hope signified by the phoenix rising from the ashes.  The texts are from the book of Psalms, beginning with lines in which the psalmist cries out in distress ("Deep Waters") and then dejection ("We Hung Our Harps"). The psalmist then resolves to wait upon the Lord ("I Waited") (a practice almost unknown in our own culture).  The last song ends in hope, with the psalmist declaring  "I sing for joy in the shadow of Thy wings" and "Thus I behold Thee, Thy power, Thy glory, my lips will sing praise unto Thee!"

The musical materials are derived from an ascending pattern consisting of two perfect fifths separated by a minor sixth: F-C-Db-Ab. This can be heard most readily in the "harp" motive in the opening of the second song, but is present in one form or another in all four movements.

Text:

I.  Deep Waters
Deep waters come up to my soul,
The flood it overflows.
I have sunk in deep mire,
And I can find no foothold.   

I'm weary with my crying eyes,
My throat is parched and dry.   
My eyes fail,   O save me!     
Deep waters overwhelm me.   

Ah, O save me O God. 
Deep waters o'erwhelm and overflow!
God, O save me. 

Those who hate me are without number. 
And those who would destroy me are powerful.
Answer me. Lord, anwer me!
Hear my cries, Lord, turn to me!
Do not hide Thy face from me, Lord,
Ransom me from my enemies!
O, I am deeply in distress!

Deep waters come up to my soul,
The flood it overflows.
I have sunk in deep mire,
And I can find no foothold. 

II.  We Hung Our Harps
We hung our harps on willow trees. 
We hung our harps on willow trees and we sat down and wept,
When we remembered, remembered Zion. 
We hung our harps on willow trees when we remembered Zion.      

How can we sing? O how can we sing in this strange and foreign land?    
How can we sing the Lord's song?  Sing in this strange and for-eign land?

Remember O Lord, remember O Lord those who said,
"Raze it!  Raze it!  Raze Jerusalem!  Raze Jerusalem to its foundations!" 
O daughters of Babylon, O daughters of Babylon,
How happy is the man, happy is the man who takes your babies,
and dashes them against the rocks!

We hung our harps on willow trees. 
We hung our harps on willow trees and we sat down and wept.

III.  I waited
I waited, waited for the Lord. 
Help me, O Lord, come deliver me. 
Save me, O Lord, from my enemies. 
Shame those who seek to destroy my life. 
I'm waiting, waiting for the Lord.

IV. My Soul Thirsts

My soul thirsts for Thee, O God, thirsts for Thee. 
My flesh yearns for Thee, O God, yearns for Thee. 
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In dry and weary lands I seek Thee. 

My heart grows parched as in summer drought,
My bones are wasting from strife. 
I will confess unto You my guilt, and now You've giv-en me life. 

I sing for joy, and in the shadow of Thy wings
I sing for joy, my mouth offers praises! 
O God, Thy love is better than life. 
I lift up my hands to Thee, O I sing for joy!   

My soul clings to Thee O God, clings to Thee. 

Thus I behold Thee, Thy power, Thy glory, my lips will sing praise unto Thee!