Other movements:   2. We Hung Our Harps     3. I Waited    4. My Soul Thirsts

Text:

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.   

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.