Days of Ash EP lyrics by U2

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, U2 released a surprise six-song collection of new music called Days of Ash.

Produced by Jacknife Lee, the EP is an immediate response to current events and inspired by extraordinary people fighting on the frontlines of freedom. 

Released on Ash Wednesday - a holy day of fasting and reflection - the collection serves as a period of soul searching before the band's full album release later in the year.

Days of Ash EP Lyrics by U2 + Track Listing

1. American Obituary (Poem)
2. The Tears Of Things
3. Song Of The Future
4. Wildpeace
5. One Life At A Time
6. Yours Eternally (ft. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)

About the Release

The EP is political in nature, referencing events in the United States, Palestine, and Ukraine. Four of the five tracks are about individuals - a mother, a father, and a teenage girl whose lives were cut short.

Bono explains:

"It's been a thrill having the four of us back together in the studio over the last year. The songs on Days of Ash are very different in mood and theme to the ones we're going to put on our album later in the year. These EP tracks couldn't wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay..."

Larry Mullen Jr. adds:

"Who needs to hear a new record from us? It just depends on whether we're making music we feel deserves to be heard. I believe these new songs stand up to our best work."

Inspirations & Cover Art

• One Life at a Time: Features a photo of Awdah Hathaleen, the Palestinian activist killed by an Israeli settler.
• American Obituary: Includes a photo of Renee Good, a young woman recently killed by ICE in Minnesota.
• Yours Eternally: Features the face of Taras Topolia in his Ukrainian army uniform.
• Song of the Future: Features an image of Sarina Esmailzadeh, an Iranian teenage influencer and women's rights activist.
• Wildpeace: Features the dove logo used on the recent "Love and Peace or Else" fan club hoodie.
• The Tears of Things: Features an image of the face of the statue of David with heart-shaped pupils.

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Liner Notes & Credits

American Obituary
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono. Produced by Jacknife Lee.

The Tears of Things
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono. Piano, keyboards, and additional guitar by Jacknife Lee.

Song of the Future
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono. Mixed by Tom Elmhirst.

Wildpeace
Music by U2 & Jacknife Lee. Words by Yehuda Amichai. Spoken word by Adeola.

One Life at a Time
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono. Piano, additional guitar & programming by Jacknife Lee.

Yours Eternally (feat. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono, The Edge, Ed Sheeran & Simon Carmody.
Choir: Nadya Tolokonnkova, Bob Geldof, Jeanne Marine, Vladyslave Greziev, Kateryna Motrych, Chuppyna Valeria, Maksym Syvolap, Sergii Vusyk, Mykhalo Chirko, Dmytro Zholud, Dmytro Vodovozov.

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