Joseph, what news has brought such gloom?
Joseph, what news has brought such gloom?
Are all these rumours true?
Whose is the child in Mary's womb,
and in your turmoil, who
can say what you must do?
Joseph, recall that special dream -
remember all you heard!
Things are not always what they seem,
and Mary has not erred:
obey the angel's word.
Joseph, go home to David's town,
for Caesar wants your gold;
there, as the names are written down,
God's promise will unfold -
a birth so long foretold.
Joseph, beware: for close at hand
is Herod, mad with spite!
Flee with the child to Egypt's land,
beyond the tyrant's might -
guard well God's infant Light!
Martin Leckebusch (b.1962)
© Martin Leckebusch, admin. The Jubilate Group
Metre / Suggested tune: 8 6 8 6 6 / RISELEY by John Barnard