An imagining of the reactions of Mary and Joseph to the news
of Jesus' impending arrival.
Fall 1988.
Originally, only the first two verses and the last one were part of
the piece. The third voice was not a narrator, but a treble instrument
like violin or flute. The third verse as a voice was added in the winter
of 2001, and the casting of the fourth verse as a vocal trio works quite well.
With a sung third verse, it is more appropriate for Christmas/Christmas Eve; with an instrumental
third verse, Advent.
Lyrics:
Mary:
How do I tell him? What can I say?
How to explain there's a child on the way
And the child's not his? The child's not his.
Will he be angry or will he cry?
Or will he be as confused as I?
You have revealed the future and I have been chosen to bear your son.
Joseph:
What's this she tells me of God made man?
What is your purpose? What is your plan
That you chose a carpenter? Chose a carpenter.
What can I teach him, this child of heavenly birth?
I am just a simple man who knows only wood and earth.
You have revealed the future and I have been chosen to raise your son.
Narrator:
Still is the wind and still is the night.
Still our rest, undisturbed by the light
And the world sleeps on. The world sleeps on.
Yet within an undistinguished stall
Comes the radience that enters and heals us all.
All the world's watching and waiting and hoping as Mary and you give birth.
All (trio):
What can we give him? What can we share?
We can raise voices with song in the air
As a gift today, a gift today.
We can give all of our heart's delight,
Our works by day, and our prayers by night.
You have revealed the future and we have been chosen to share your son.