Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Joseph's Lullaby
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mary I'm afraid
Mary can I live up to
The choice that God has made?
Jesus can You tell me
Here upon my knee
What kind of father will I be?
You, made from miracles
That God has given me to keep?
I can't give much to You
You, made from miracles
But I can hold You as You sleep
What can You learn from me
You, made from miracles
When I've so much to learn from You?
What can a man like me
Offer the Miracle
Who taught me miracles come true
Tell me how to guide You
Tell me what to say
Tell me how to show You how
To show the world the Way
How to please the angels
Watching from above
When all I have to give You is love.
But if it's love You need
You made from miracles
Then take my hand and hold it tight
And I will give you love
Sweet, little Miracle
That God has given me tonight
Sweet little Miracle
Oh what a miracle
That God had given us tonight.
The lyrics of Joseph's Lullaby by Michael Crawford talk about the insecurity, fears, doubts, and overwhelming feeling that any new parent experiences. Here, Joseph is seen questioning his ability to be the father of Jesus and if he can do justice to the choice that God has made by choosing him. Joseph raises questions about what kind of father he would be, how he would guide and show Jesus the way, and how he would please the angels watching from above. He acknowledges that Jesus is made from miracles and that there is so much he can learn from his son, who will teach him that miracles indeed come true. Joseph feels that he may not have much to give, but he can hold onto Jesus as he sleeps and share the love that God has given to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary are you sleeping?
Are you at peace, Mary?
Mary I'm afraid
I am scared, Mary.
Mary can I live up to The choice that God has made?
Can I be the kind of father that God wants me to be?
Jesus can You tell me Here upon my knee What kind of father will I be?
On my knees, can you tell me what kind of father I can be?
What can I give to You You made from miracles That God has given me to keep?
As a gift from God, what can I offer to you, a miracle?
I can't give much to You You made from miracles But I can hold You as You sleep
I may not be able to give much, but I can hold you while you sleep.
What can You learn from me You made from miracles When I've so much to learn from You?
As a miracle, what can you possibly learn from me?
What can a man like me Offer the Miracle Who taught me miracles come true
As a man, what can I offer this miracle when I have learned that miracles are real?
Tell me how to guide You Tell me what to say Tell me how to show You how To show the world the Way
Please guide me, tell me what to do or say to help show you to the world.
How to please the angels Watching from above When all I have to give You is love.
How can I make the angels watching above happy when all I can give you is love?
But if it's love You need You made from miracles Then take my hand and hold it tight And I will give you love
If love is what you need, take my hand, hold it tight, and I'll give you love.
Sweet, little Miracle That God has given me tonight Sweet little Miracle Oh what a miracle That God had given us tonight.
You are a sweet, little miracle that was given to us by God tonight.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN KAVANAUGH, MARCY HEISLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind