"Up From The Ashes" is the eleventh track from the deluxe version of Kanye West's tenth studio album, Donda (2021).[1] The song features vocals from the Sunday Service Choir.[2] It was first released via the Stem Player before it was released on the deluxe version of Donda.[3]
In the song, Kanye alludes to both the rising of a phoenix and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.[4]
Background[]
In March 2022, producer Ace G revealed that the song began as a voice note that he recorded in 2018.[5] Originally, the song was owned by Sean Leon before he gave it to Kanye for his then-upcoming album, JESUS IS KING (2019). At the time, the song was named "Glade".[6] On August 29, 2019, Kim Kardashian tweeted the tentative track list for JIK, listing "Glade" as the opening track.[7] A month later, Kim tweeted an updated track list for the album. While "Glade" was still the opening track, it was noticeably renamed to "Up From The Ashes".[8] At one point, it was even renamed to "Beauty From Ashes".[9] Despite the song being previewed at several listening parties, it was ultimately taken off the album.
After JIK, Kanye didn't stop working on the song, though. The song was being worked on for Kanye and Dr. Dre's collaborative album, JESUS IS KING: The Dr. Dre Version, under the name "Ashes".[10] It was seen on several track lists for his scrapped album, God's Country.[11] On July 18, 2020, Kanye posted a track list for his new album, DONDA, listing the song as the twelfth track on the album.[12] However, all 3 albums would be scrapped by the end of 2020 and the song wouldn't release until November 2021.
On June 23, 2023, Sean Leon released "The Glade" as a single for his then-upcoming album, IN LOVING MEMORY. It is an earlier version of "Up From The Ashes", but despite this, Kanye is not credited.[13]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Up from the ashes, into the sky
Found a Redeemer, how I survive
Boys hug their mothers, Mary and Christ
Your light has healed me, blessed with new life
[Chorus]
I could tell you, He could show you
God in Heaven, shinin' on you
Through your message, now I know you
I come to You empty, free of my pride
[Verse]
(Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Praise You only, now and forever
All the glory, it belongs to You
By Christ's power, we're victorious
Been set f—
[Refrain]
I come to You empty, free of my pride
We walk by faith and not by our sight
Declaring the vict'ry, one day at a time
God is our shepherd, light in the night
Cure for the sick, He's eyes for the blind
[Chorus]
I could tell you, He can show you
God in Heaven, shinin' on you
Through your message, now I know You
I come to You empty, free of my pride
[Outro]
I come to You empty
[Chorus]
I ain't going, I ain't givin' up
We ain't going, we ain't givin' up
Time gets going, time keeps goin' on
I'm still holding, I'm still holdin' on
[Verse]
Up from the ashes, into the sky
Crowds watch the phoenix, stoners get high
Boys hug their mothers, some run and hide
They'll never kill me, just watch them try
Couldn't tell you, I can show you
Only 'cause I really know you
If you love me, baby won't you?
Won't you avenge me? No time to cry
[Chorus]
I ain't going, I ain't givin' up
We ain't going, we ain't givin' up
Time gets going, time keeps goin' on
I'm still holding, I'm still holdin' on
[Chorus]
I ain't going, I ain't givin' up
We ain't going, we ain't givin' up
Time gets going, time keeps goin' on
I'm still holding, I'm still holdin' on
References[]
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/2Wiyo7LzdeBCsVZiRA6vVZ
- ↑ https://genius.com/Kanye-west-up-from-the-ashes-lyrics
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_from_the_Ashes_(song)
- ↑ https://genius.com/Kanye-west-up-from-the-ashes-lyrics
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CasApPmreGR/
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_from_the_Ashes_(song)#Background_and_recording
- ↑ https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2019/8/kim-kardashian-announces-kanye-wests-ninth-studio-album-is-called-jesus-is-king-and-posts-tracklist-2.html
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Kanye/comments/da8993/jesus_is_king_new_tracklist/
- ↑ https://www.newsweek.com/kanye-west-jesus-king-album-tracklist-guest-spots-everything-we-know-so-far-1466940
- ↑ https://genius.com/Kanye-west-and-dr-dre-ashes-lyrics
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/YandhiLeaks/comments/zau91l/late_gods_country_tracklist/
- ↑ https://rapzilla.com/2020-07-kanye-west-announces-new-album-donda/
- ↑ https://genius.com/Sean-leon-the-glade-lyrics
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