Card received Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Religious Studies from Western Kentucky University. His studies in physics and astronomy allowed him to support himself while a student by working for six years at a planetarium. As of 2005, he is working on a Ph.D. in Classical Literature.
Joseph's Song
Michael Card Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
Lord I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
Chorus 2
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be
Chorus 2
Chorus 1
Michael Card's Joseph's Song is a touching and introspective look at the thoughts and feelings of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, as he cradles his newborn son in his arms. The chorus repeats twice with slight variations, expressing Joseph's wonder and awe at the fact that he is holding the Son of God in his arms. The first chorus evokes a sense of peace and calmness as Joseph tenderly gazes at the sleeping baby, marveling at the fact that he is holding the Savior of the world. Joseph acknowledges that this child is not his own but is still filled with love for him and asks God to let him be the father of this precious baby.
In the second chorus, Joseph's thoughts turn to his own inadequacy and uncertainty about his role in God's plan. He humbly asks God for guidance and clarity on how he fits into His plan and how he, a simple carpenter, can raise a king. Joseph's human limitations and doubts are contrasted with the divine nature of the child he is holding, who is destined for greatness.
Overall, the lyrics of Joseph's Song offer a poignant portrayal of the human experience of encountering the divine. They capture the emotions of wonder, love, and humility that arise when we are faced with something that is beyond our comprehension and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
How could it be this baby in my arms
I am in awe and wonder that this baby, who is the Son of God, is in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
He is sleeping so peacefully, and it brings me a sense of calm and peace
The Son of God, the angel said
An angel told me that this baby is the Son of God
How could it be
I am filled with amazement and disbelief that I have been chosen to raise the Son of God
Lord I know He's not my own
I know that this child is not biologically mine, but I will still love and care for Him as my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
He is not related to me biologically, but He is still my son and a blessing from God
Still Father let this baby be
God, please let this baby be a part of my life, that I may love and care for Him
The son of my love
Though He is not biologically my son, I will love Him as my own child
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
God, please reveal to me how I can best serve and fulfill Your plan for me and this child
How can a man be father to the Son of God
I am overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising the Son of God and am unsure of how I can fulfill this role
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
I have lived a humble life as a carpenter and am unsure of how I can raise a king
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
I am filled with doubt and insecurity about my ability to raise this child who is destined to be a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
He may look small and delicate, but I know that He is destined for greatness
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
His cries have the power to make me feel as though the world is dark and hopeless
But when He laughs it shines again
But His laughter brings light and joy back into my life
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL J. CARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charleskellermann4546
One person who commented in another venue about this song questioned about whether it meant that Jesus is the Son of God or Son of Joseph, and that honest question made me of think of how to propose a good answer. So, here I post my reflective answer that touches on some of my thoughts from the number of times that I have heard and marvelled at the beauty of this song/hymn:
Is Jesus the Son of God or Son of Joseph? "In a way, both. Joseph sings that He is not of his flesh, but he prays to the Father for the grace and the strength to raise Him well in the normal human sense; and he did better as a father than most, if not all of us.
Listen prayerfully to that one poignant verse for your answer:
"Lord, I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love."
They say that singing can be (like) praying twice. In listening to this song deeply, it is so easy to pray twice. As a father of four children and now one grand-child, I find so easy to pray this song into my life. As a man of 72, it brings tears to my eyes and profound joy into my life. I feel very blessed that Michael Card wrote it for us and numerous singers have graced us with their voices singing it. I heard it the first time sung after Holy Communion, sung by a young man about 17-18 years old with a most beautiful voice. A truly beautiful, emotional, and prayerful rendition that provided a most meaningful Communion meditation within the supreme act of liturgical worship."
As you noted, the song can so easily be filled with passion and emotion from true faith that it can bring a deep and lasting sense of awe and belief. Thanks for your sharing.
@MDzVQPln
Surely these thoughts were indeed going through Joseph's mind and heart!
JOSEPH'S SONG
by
MICHAEL CARD
How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be?
Lord, I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, how can I raise a king?
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be?
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, how can I raise a king?
How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be? How could it be?
@christinecarlos7316
JOSEPH'S SONG by Michael Card
Chorus 1
How could it be this baby in his arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
Lord he knows He's not his own
Not of his flesh, not of his bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of his love
Chorus 2
Father show him where he fits into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all his life he's been a simple carpenter
How can he raise a king, How can he raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be
Repeat Chorus 2
Father show me where he fits into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all his life he's been a simple carpenter
How can he raise a king, How can he raise a king
Chorus 1
How could it be this baby in his arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
@leomartinez5642
How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
Lord I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love
Chorus 2
Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be
Chorus 2
Chorus 1
@bmguercio
As a father, this song hits deeply into my soul. “How could it be?” Praise God in heaven for the gift of His Son!
@lupestott529
I love this song so much. Joseph is overlooked so much in the role he played in Christ's life. This song gives us a moment to consider his feelings. Such a beautiful tribute to Jesus's earthly father. ❤
@robjohnson7806
My wife and I met with Michael after a concert last year and asked him what it was that inspired him to write this song. He stopped, smiled and told the story of how his brother had become a father for the first time. He tells of how his brother took the baby in his arms and said, "How could it be?" As soon as he said that, Michael got that itch that writers get and as soon as he could, wrote down these words in this song. Such a wonderful man of God and someone we have now had the privilege to see in concert twice. Now that is a blessing if you get the chance.
@mysterygirl2881
ROB JOHNSON wow! That’s nice to hear how composers get their ideas of writing beautiful, inspiring songs. What a privilege to go to a concert of Michael Card! 🙂
@robjohnson7806
@Mystery girl We have seen him in Ripon and Masham (UK) but he goes everywhere. Masham is as tiny as it gets. It is brilliant when he comes up to you, remembers you from the year before and places a hand on your shoulder and does that thing where you pat someone's shoulder to say hello. Blessed ain't the word. 😎
@MDzVQPln
ROB JOHNSON! How neat!
I can i vision that!.
That's beautiful story!
Thanks for sharing that "background info"
@ladyslipper8753
How beautiful. The Holy Spirit inspired this song. Thank you for sharing.
@tssafarina1
Thanks for sharing this. He has so many unique lyrics I always wonder how the Lord inspires him.
@ireneszymczak8261
This never ever ever gets old. Timeless, priceless and preciously felt, not just merely heard. 💝 Such a gift song about the greatest Gift EVER!
@jonathanferris4858
Joseph often seems to get left out of the Christmas story. Thank you Michael for reminding us with such beautiful lyrics and music.