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Ashes
John Bowman Lyrics
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In a big box of regret.
Then I adressed it to
The devil.
The one I blame for all my debt
Like cash on the barrel head
It was time for me to give him his due.
And throw in for free
Of the good I didn't do.
The first example of losin'
I packed into a bundle of years.
Strategically placed it in
The corner.
Cold and dampened by my tears.
Then I sealed it up with a soft prayer.
No one heard but Jesus and me.
I dropped the box into
The fire
How beautiful ashes can be.
How beautiful
The ashes can be.
How beautiful
The ashes
Can be.
How beautiful
The ashes can be.
How beautiful
The ashes
Can be.
In John Bowman's song "Ashes," the singer is reflecting on their past failures and mistakes. They have collected these failures and placed them in a big box of regret, which they then address to the devil, the one they blame for their debts. The singer sees this as paying what is due and also throws in the memories of the good they didn't do. The first example of losing is packed into a bundle of years and strategically placed in the corner, cold and dampened by the singer's tears. The box is then sealed up with a soft prayer, and the singer drops the box into the fire. The singer reflects on how beautiful ashes can be, emphasizing the idea that through the process of letting go of their failures and mistakes, they can experience transformation and new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
I placed my collection of failures
I gathered all my past mistakes and shortcomings.
In a big box of regret.
I stored them in a box filled with deep remorse and sorrow.
Then I addressed it to
I sent it to
The devil.
the one I held responsible for all my wrongdoings.
The one I blame for all my debt
the one who I accuse of being the reason for all my troubles.
Like cash on the barrel head
just as if I made a payment due to someone.
It was time for me to give him his due.
I felt it was necessary to pay back what I owed.
And throw in for free
included without extra cost,
The memories
all the good things that I didn't do or missed.
Of the good I didn't do.
All the opportunities when I failed to do the right thing.
The first example of losin'
The initial setback
I packed into a bundle of years.
I kept it in a package of a long period of time.
Strategically placed it in
I put it in a particular spot
The corner.
in a secluded place.
Cold and dampened by my tears.
Moistened by my tears and numb in my heart.
Then I sealed it up with a soft prayer.
I closed and secured it with a gentle request to God.
No one heard but Jesus and me.
It was only me and Jesus who knew about this.
I dropped the box into
I release the box in
The fire
destructive flames
How beautiful ashes can be.
I'm surprised that the result of the fiery destruction is a thing of beauty.
How beautiful
It's remarkable
The ashes can be.
even the outcome of burning can be stunning.
How beautiful
It's remarkable
The ashes
The remnants of what I had before.
Can be.
still be beautiful even after being consumed by fire.
How beautiful
It's remarkable
The ashes can be.
even the outcome of burning can be stunning.
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.