In These Ashes/By Your Mercy

There are two melodically linked titles in this octavo. “In These Ashes” is for Ash Wednesday alone and features an easily learned call-and-response refrain—especially important for the singing assembly while in the processional for ashes! “By Your Mercy” is not call-and-response and can be sung throughout Lent. The verses are the same for each of the two refrains, meaning you could introduce it on Ash Wednesday and then revisit it later in the season to reinforce its themes of conversion, mercy, trust, and longing for God. It is scored for SATB choir (unison on verses), cantor, keyboard, guitar, and a solo instrument part in C.