This melody and its stirring tune stir the soul towards repentance. Teaching this melody, the Rebbe elaborated that he had heard it once from an old Chassid, who hummed this melody to the words of Ki Onu Amecho during the Yom Kippur prayers. Upon conclusion of the fast, he broke out in a fervent dance, singing the same melody, and repeating the words back and forth, again and again.
The Rebbe added that its melancholy tones characterize this melody as a song of repentance, and thus no set order is important for its musical phrases, and the melody is not resolved in a conventional musical ending. It therefore lends itself to repetition over and over again. This is a symbol of a true concept of repentance. One is never satisfied, but strives to approach deeper and deeper. This melody is sung often at Chassidic gatherings.
In keeping with the annual custom on the holiday of Simchas Torah, following the Hakofos in 5724 (1963), the Rebbe taught this tune.
כִּי אָנוּ עַמֶּךָ וְאַתָּה אֱלֹקֵינוּ. אָנוּ בָנֶיךָ וְאַתָּה אָבִינו
For we are Your people and You are our L-rd: We are Your children and You are our Father.