His Name Is Joseph

Sarah Hart sings of Mary and Joseph

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is not mentioned that much in the Bible. There are really only four times where we get to see and understand her. Of course, one of the times Mary is mentioned is in the description of the birth of Jesus, with the most comprehensive narrative given by St. Luke. 

According to St. Luke, while Mary and Joseph were betrothed but not yet married, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Gabriel told Mary that God had found favor with her, and that she would conceive and bear God's son, Jesus. Of course, she was confused and concerned about how this could be, since she and Joseph had not wed and consummated their marriage. Gabriel then explained that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit.

While Mary accepted that explanation, one must wonder what she thought. Luke's Gospel merely states the she "kept these things in her heart."

But, Mary was a person, with real feelings and concerns. Even though she was born without original sin she, nonetheless, likely felt fear, joy, confusion, and other human emotions. This is where Sarah Hart's song "His Name Is Joseph" brings an interesting perspective to this account.

The song is sung story-like, from Mary's point of view. Sarah posits that Mary states that she is scared and unprepared, but has put her faith in God. She is even ready for the gossip that will likely accompany her unmarried pregnancy. However, she does have one doubt: Joseph. How will he take the news? After all, he is only a simple carpenter, and a devout follower of Jewish law. Will he accept the news as truth? Or will he abandon Mary?

The song begins with Sarah Hart singing accompanied only by solo piano. It is the morning after Gabriel came to her. The piano is subdued, and Mary provides her thoughts on the previous night's events. This setting conveys an atmosphere of quiet reflection upon waking. A guitar is added to the piano during the second verse. The sound of this second instrument brings to mind a more wakeful condition along with renewed confidence. The lyrics convey this message "let the world think what they will for today your promise is fulfilled."

In the chorus (His Name is Joseph), Mary reminds God that Joseph is a simple man, a carpenter and asks God to tell him gently. This part of the song conveys a deep understanding of Mary's character. She says that she thinks she and Joseph were made for each other, but wonders how Joseph would take the news.

This is a profound thought. Try to put yourself in Joseph's place. What would you think? Your betrothed is pregnant, but you know you are not the father. It was possibly, even likely, a scandalous event in Nazareth. Mary finally asks God to send an angel to explain it to Joseph. What a sensitive thought, wonderfully expressed by Sarah and the accompanying instruments.

The lyrics of the next verse re-emphasize Mary's faith and trust in the Lord's calling for her, and yet expresses her concern again about Joseph. Did she choose Joseph, or did the Lord? She is clearly unsure, though she hopes the Lord has chosen Joseph. She relates to the Lord that she will not be able to bear the mantle he asks of her unaided. Sarah Hart's full band begins to play for this verse, highlighting the importance of Joseph to her, and the significance of her request to the Lord.

Sarah then repeats the chorus, which is followed by a musical interlude. Here, the interlude gives one time to reflect on what Mary has been asking of the Lord. After the interlude, Mary reaffirms her confidence in God "If he goes life will not end", repeating however that she wants someone with her throughout the coming trials "But I could truly use a friend".

The song finishes with a repeat of the chorus. Using the chorus to end the song sends the very powerful message that Mary cares very much for Joseph, and clearly wants God to use his angels to speak to Joseph, in order to help Joseph understand. Mary wants Joseph to accompany her on the upcoming journey.

Sarah Hart deftly brings a humanity to Mary that one may not get by simply reading through the accounts of Jesus' birth in the Gospels. It is sometimes easy to forget that she was a real person, struggling to understand all that had happened in such a short time. Listening to Sarah sing this song makes it easy to imagine a young Mary having this conversation with the Lord. Through her voice and lyrics, Sarah brings life to Mary and shows us a side we may not have seen.