Ash Wednesday

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. 

-Book of Common Prayer, 1662

The Day is Past and Gone

Words by: John Leland, 1792

Tune by: Elisha West, 1802

The day is past and gone;

The evening shades appear:

Oh may we all remember well

The night of death draws near.

We lay our garments by

Upon our beds to rest;

So death will soon disrobe us all

of what we here possess.

Lord keep us safe this night,

Secure from all our fears;

May angels guard us while we sleep,

'Till morning light appears.

And when we early rise

And view th'unwearied sun,

May we set out to win the prize

And after glory run.

And when our days are past

And we from time remove,

O may we in Thy bosom rest,

The bosom of Thy love.