Joseph

composer: JG

THe LyRics

Well you could say I was a spoiled, little, bratty boy,

Wrapped in cash, while God showed me the stars.

But when my brothers skinned my coat like a man skins an animal,

I guess my God just gave me scars.

If but one grief and smart had its full career,

My heart would slowly sink, and soon disappear.

But here these griefs are made to sing.

Let’s cut to it: everybody knows I got that job

Giving grain to starving folks in town

And we could say this justified my sufferings,

But I’ve seen something more profound.

When all my brothers came, looking for some loaves of bread,

I could have thrown them straight into that jail,

But retribution can’t heal those broken roots of your heart.

If but one grief and smart had its full career,

My heart would slowly sink, and soon disappear.

But here these griefs are made to sing.

Lord, we are made like you, and like you we rise.

Ours is the cross, the grave, and the skies.

DeSCriptIon/NOteS

This song is essentially a three and a half minute version of a couple Tim Keller sermons on Joseph. His unpacking of justice, discipline, revenge and redemption in Joseph's life is quite powerful. Also, he alludes to a George Herbert poem and a Charles Wesley hymn, both of which are in the song.