One-third of the I-Threes, reggae's most influential female vocal trio, Jud… Read Full Bio ↴One-third of the I-Threes, reggae's most influential female vocal trio, Judy Mowatt helped to turn the last recordings of Bob Marley into enduring classics. Her sensuous harmonies strengthened albums by Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Big Youth, Pablo Moses, Freddie McGregor, U Roy, and the Wailing Souls. Her solo recordings, including Black Woman in 1980 and Only a Woman, two years later, marked her as a powerful spokesperson for Rastafarian and feminist causes. Mowatt initially attracted attention as lead singer of a vocal trio, the Gaylettes, also known as the Gaytones, that she formed with Beryl Lawrence and Merle Clemonson in 1967. Based on such Motown groups as the Supremes, the Marvelettes, and Gladys Knight and the Pipes, the Gaylettes harmonized on a rich mix of RB and Jamaican dance music. The trio remained together until 1970 when Lawrence and Clemonson immigrated to the United States and Mowatt embarked on a solo career, recording under a series of pseudonyms including Juliann. Mowatt's greatest break came when vocalist Marcia Griffiths asked her to sing harmony on a track that she was recording at Studio One with her duo partner Bob Andy in 1974. Rita Marley, the wife of Bob Marley and the mother of Ziggy Marley, was also hired to sing on the tune. The three woman hit it off so well that Griffiths invited Mowatt and Marley to sing the Supremes tune "Remember Me" with her when she performed that night at the House of Chen in New Kingston. The appearance was so successful that they agreed to continue performing together as the I'Threes.

Around the same time, Bob Marley was beginning to rebound from his split with Peter Tosh and Bunny "Wailer" Livingston. During a visit to the home of reggae producer Lee Perry in Cardiff Crescent in the Washington Gardens section of Jamaica, it was suggested that Marley incorporate the I'Threes into his performances. After singing harmony on Marley's song "Jah Live" and album Natty Dread, the I-Threes performed their first concert with him as the opening act for the Jackson Five in spring 1975. The I-Threes continued to work with Marley until his death in May 1981. Five years later, Mowatt and the I-Threes toured in a package show that featured musicians from Marley's band the Wailers and introduced Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers to North American audiences. A member of the Rastafarian group the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Mowatt recalled her fascination with Marley during an early-'90s interview. "I had gotten to realize in reading my Bible that this man (Marley) was really Joseph in his second advent. I saw in the man that this time he came not only with the physical corn to feed his people but he came with the spiritual corn, which was the message that transcended to the four corners of the world." In addition to her work with Marley and Ithe 'Threes, Mowatt continued to pursue a solo career. Her album, Black Woman, released in 1977, was the first to be recorded at Marley's ~Tuff Gong studios.

Joseph
Judy Mowatt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You've been so good to me
I thank you sincerely
In my state of unrighteousness
You sent for me and my soul was blessed
Through you I got of my first inspiration
For writing my songs into the light of salvation

You are a father, a brother

One that I've never had
And I thank God for you
For you I am so glad

Archers have shot arrows at you
So to grieve you
But your bow abode and strength
When your enemies came
Your angels were descend

They don't know you're here for a purpose
Like the famine in Egypt
Your corn still feed's us

A father a brother
One we've had now we've lost
We thank God for you
For you we are so glad

(.)

You been so good to me
I thank you sincerely
In my state of unrighteousness
You sent for me
And my soul, my soul was blessed

Joseph, we love you, ooh
Joseph, we love you, ooh, ooh
Joseph, we love you, ooh
Joseph, Israel loves you, ooh, ooh
Joseph, I said we love you
You know we know we love you!
Joseph, we love you

We're not here to cast you down
But to uplift you with this sound

Joseph, we love you, ooh
Joseph, I said we love you

Reuben, Simeon and Levi, Judah
Issachar, Zebulon, Dan and Gad
Asher, Naphalti, Benjamin, Dinah

Joseph, we love you
Joseph, I swear we love you
Joseph, we love you
Joseph! Me love you, ooh
Joseph, we love you, ooh, ooh
Joseph, I said we love you, ooh
Joseph, we love you, ooh, ooh
Joseph, I swear we love you, ooh

Thirty pieces of silver
You were sold for in Egypt

Joseph, we love you, ooh

We are sorry for what we did
Now we're here to ask your pardon

Joseph, we love you.

Overall Meaning

In Judy Mowatt's song "Joseph," the lyrics express gratitude and admiration for a person named Joseph, who has been a positive influence and source of inspiration in the songwriter's life. The song begins with a thank-you to Joseph for being "so good" and for "sending" the songwriter towards salvation. Joseph is then referred to as a father and brother, someone who has been a support system for the songwriter. The lyrics invoke imagery of Joseph facing opposition and arrows being shot at him, but his strength and divine protection prevailed. The writer says that Joseph has a purpose and through that purpose, is continuing to bless others by providing as if he were corn during a famine in Egypt. The song concludes with the chorus, where the writer proclaims love for Joseph and asks for forgiveness for doing wrong in the past while acknowledging that Joseph is deserving of love and respect.

Line by Line Meaning

You've been so good to me
Addressing Joseph, the singer expresses her deep gratitude for all the good he has done for her.

I thank you sincerely
The singer expresses her heartfelt thanks to Joseph for his help and kindness.

In my state of unrighteousness
The singer admits that she is not perfect, but rather flawed and sinful.

You sent for me and my soul was blessed
Joseph reached out to the singer and she found spiritual enlightenment and blessings through him.

Through you I got of my first inspiration
Joseph's influence inspired the singer to write the first of her many uplifting and spiritually enlightening songs.

For writing my songs into the light of salvation
The singer gives credit to Joseph for helping her to bring her music into the spotlight and to use it to help lead others to salvation.

You are a father, a brother
The singer addresses Joseph as both a father and a brother, expressing the deep and familial connection she feels with him.

One that I've never had
The singer never had a father or brother figure like Joseph, so his presence in her life is especially meaningful.

And I thank God for you
The singer thanks God for bringing Joseph into her life and for all the good he has done for her.

For you I am so glad
The singer expresses her joy and happiness at having Joseph in her life.

Archers have shot arrows at you
The singer references the many challenges and struggles that Joseph has faced in his life.

So to grieve you
The hardships and obstacles that Joseph has faced have caused him great pain and sorrow.

But your bow abode and strength
Despite the challenges he has faced, Joseph has remained strong and resilient.

When your enemies came
Joseph has had to face many enemies and adversaries throughout his life.

Your angels were descend
Through it all, Joseph has been protected and watched over by spiritual forces.

They don't know you're here for a purpose
Many people do not understand Joseph's true purpose and the important role he plays in the grand plan of things.

Like the famine in Egypt
The singer compares Joseph's importance to that of the famine in Egypt, which ultimately had a greater purpose that many did not understand at the time.

Your corn still feeds us
Joseph's work and influence continue to nourish and sustain people to this day.

One we've had now we've lost
The singer mourns the loss of Joseph's presence in her life and recognizes how much he meant to her.

We are sorry for what we did
The singer expresses remorse for past mistakes and misjudgments regarding Joseph.

Now we're here to ask your pardon
The singer asks Joseph for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Thirty pieces of silver
A reference to the betrayal of Jesus, who was sold for thirty pieces of silver, which the singer compares to Joseph's own betrayal and mistreatment.

Joseph, we love you
The repeated refrain throughout the song, expressing the singer's deep affection and appreciation for Joseph.

Contributed by Emma V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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