At the end of the longer form of the Vidui confession during each of the services on Yom Kippur (except N'ila), we confess to general sins which incur various forms of sacrifices or punishments. For all these sins we ask that God pardon us, forgive us and grant us atonement. Although some congregations always recite this section quietly, it is customary in many communities to sing this section aloud in the confession during the chazzan's repetition. Lewandowski's melody is perhaps not as euphoric as the well-known Ashamnu melody, but it is still upbeat and joyous, despite the sombre and serious nature of these words. While it is counterintuitive that we should so proudly declare these sins aloud, I think that this fits under the same rubric Rav Soloveitchik uses to explain the singing of Ashamnu: There is a key difference between the individual's private confession and the public confession during the chazzan's repetition. When the individual confesses, they do so from a state of depression, insecurity and despair in the wake of a sin for which they have no assurance of being acquitted. In contrast, the Jewish community confesses out of a sense of confidence and even rejoicing with the singing of the Vidui.