McLean released his debut album, You’re Not Alone, in 1983 and with every song that followed, his lyrics filled voids, encouraged love, and offered hope. Now, more than 25 albums later, his musical legacy has not only resonated in the hearts of thousands, but continues to be a standard for those seeking meaning and peace.
To celebrate this exciting anniversary, McLean released a boxed set of six albums in 2008. The definitive collection, 25, is filled with his most beloved songs from the last 25 years, many of which were out-of-print, as well as a handful of brand-new songs on each album.
With a background in film, McLean began early in his career making commercials for radio and television, receiving numerous national and international awards for advertising. Such awards included the prestigious Clio Award, National Addy Award, New York Ad Club’s Andy Award, two National Emmy Finalists Awards, and the Bronze Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. He later used his film experience to produce and direct several films including, Together Forever, The Prodigal Son, and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas starring film legend Jimmy Stewart.
Ever the engaging performer and master storyteller, McLean has shared his beloved Christmas musical, The Forgotten Carols, with more than a half-million people across the country since 2001. With humor and heart, “The Carols” has become a beloved tradition for thousands of families who mark the beginning of their holiday season with this magical musical.
Celebrating the Light, another of McLean’s musicals, ran for five seasons at the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City and The Garden, an allegorical oratorio written with Merrill Jenson and Bryce Neubert, opened in Jerusalem and has been performed across the country as well as in France, South America, and Russia. His popular sea-faring musical The Ark enjoyed a New York City debut in 2005.
In addition to his music and films, McLean has also authored four books with accompanying CDs – Distant Serenade, Hold on the Light Will Come: And Other Lessons My Songs Have Taught Me, The Forgotten Carols, and most recently, From God’s Arms to My Arms to Yours.
McLean and his wife Lynne have three children and live in California.
Musical Style: Piano driven inspirational
Current Residence: California
Joseph
Michael McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the wood he knew so well
When she thought she recognized him,
Though at first she couldn′t tell.
As she humbly begged his pardon,
A strange sadness swelled inside
When she asked, "aren't you the father
Then the carpenter repeated
What he′d said so many times
He said, "I was not His father,
He was mine."
Then he humbly went on working
With his worn and calloused hands.
Though she did not ask more questions
He knew she didn't understand.
So he asked if she would help him.
He saw her answer in a glance.
She did all the chores he asked her,
And she was grateful for the chance.
Then they talked for hours of Jesus
And how he knew He was divine.
He said, "I was not His father,
He was mine.
For how could one so foolish and so flawed
Ever hope to raise the Son of God?"
Then he spoke of the misgivings
He had had a thousand times,
And how Jesus found the tender moments
To let him know he'd done just fine.
Then the carpenter recited
The greatest truths he′d ever learned
And testified they came from Jesus
And then her heart within her burned!
They embraced as she departed.
Joseph told her one more time,
"Tell them I was not His father,
Tell them He was mine.
No, I was not His father,
He was mine."
In Michael McLean's song "Joseph," the lyrics delve into the story of Joseph, the carpenter who was the earthly father of Jesus Christ. The lyrics portray Joseph as a humble and hardworking man who deeply loved and believed in his son, despite the misgivings he had about his abilities to raise the Son of God. One evening, a woman approached him and asked if he was the father of the man who was crucified. Joseph replied that he was not his father, but rather Jesus was his.
The song highlights Joseph's struggles and doubts about his role as a father, as well as the profound love he had for Jesus. The lyrics demonstrate Joseph's unwavering faith in Jesus and how he acknowledged that Jesus was more than just his son, but also his Savior. The song beautifully captures the essence of the story of Joseph and how his experience as the earthly father of Jesus Christ impacted his life.
Overall, "Joseph" is a heartfelt and moving tribute to the important role that Joseph played in Jesus' life and the profound impact that Jesus had on his life in return.
Line by Line Meaning
He was working late one evening
Joseph was working late at night on his carpenter duty.
With the wood he knew so well
Joseph was working with the type of wood that he had expertise on.
When she thought she recognized him,
A woman thought she knew Joseph when she saw him working.
Though at first she couldn′t tell.
At first, the woman could not recognize Joseph with certainty.
As she humbly begged his pardon,
The woman apologized with humility to Joseph.
A strange sadness swelled inside
Joseph was deeply saddened by something the woman said or asked.
When she asked, "aren't you the father
The woman asked Joseph whether he was the father of Jesus.
Of the Man they crucified?"
The woman referred to Jesus, who was crucified by the Roman empire.
Then the carpenter repeated
Joseph restated what he had already told many people before.
What he′d said so many times
Joseph repeated his answer to the woman's question, which he had said previously.
He said, "I was not His father,
Joseph said that he was not Jesus' biological father.
He was mine."
Joseph was saying that Jesus was his spiritual son.
Then he humbly went on working
Joseph resumed his carpenter duties after clarifying the misunderstanding.
With his worn and calloused hands.
Joseph continued to work, although his hands were used to the point of being rough.
Though she did not ask more questions
The woman did not ask any more questions related to Joseph's statement about Jesus' paternity.
He knew she didn't understand.
Joseph realized that the woman didn't believe him, nor did she understand the relationship that Jesus and he had.
So he asked if she would help him.
Joseph requested for the woman's help with his carpentry duties.
He saw her answer in a glance.
Joseph concluded that the woman agreed to help him by reading her facial expressions.
She did all the chores he asked her,
The woman cooperated and fulfilled all the duties that Joseph assigned her.
And she was grateful for the chance.
The woman was thankful for the opportunity to help Joseph.
Then they talked for hours of Jesus
Joseph and the woman had an extended conversation about Jesus.
And how he knew He was divine.
They discussed how Jesus knew that he was a divine being.
He said, "I was not His father,
Joseph emphasized that he was not Jesus' biological father as he had done before.
He was mine.
Joseph explained to the woman that Jesus was spiritually his son.
For how could one so foolish and so flawed
Joseph wondered how someone imperfect like him could raise the son of God.
Ever hope to raise the Son of God?"
Joseph questioned how he could live up to the responsibility of being Jesus' father.
Then he spoke of the misgivings
Joseph expressed his doubts about his ability to raise Jesus.
He had had a thousand times,
Joseph shared that he had doubt his capability in doing the right thing with Jesus many times.
And how Jesus found the tender moments
Joseph narrated how Jesus found the most appropriate time to make him understand that he was doing the right thing as his dad.
To let him know he'd done just fine.
Jesus made Joseph realize that he had done an excellent job as his father.
Then the carpenter recited
Joseph reviewed the most significant truth he had learned in life.
The greatest truths he′d ever learned
Joseph stated the paramount insights he has learnt during his life.
And testified they came from Jesus
Joseph testified that the insights he had just shared came from Jesus.
And then her heart within her burned!
The woman was emotionally affected by what Joseph said that her heart started to race.
They embraced as she departed.
Joseph and the woman hugged each other as she left.
Joseph told her one more time,
Joseph reminded the woman again that he was not Jesus' biological father.
"Tell them I was not His father,
Joseph requested the woman to tell others that he was not Jesus' biological father.
Tell them He was mine.
Joseph instead wanted to be remembered that he was Jesus' spiritual father.
No, I was not His father,
Like a conclusion, Joseph once again reiterated that he was not Jesus' biological father.
He was mine.
However, Joseph was genuinely proud to be Jesus' spiritual father.
Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nelsonpereira5659
Very comforting, soothes the conscience, evokes my wrongdoings, not-at-all-good-thoughts within me, especially about/against others.
"THOUGH I WAS NOT HIS FATHER, HE WAS MINE"!!!
truly....
MADE MY DAY
@aileen2193
How can he sing that without tears? I can't listen without!
@mama-tw7bl
Such joyful happi tears for me in my heart that loves Jesus, my Lord, my King, my Savior, my God, my Fabba Whom loves me as His child He Himself created beautiful and precious in my mamitas precious womb! Blest Be our Great God!
@kristincook2296
Next to impossible to not cry
@ronluckett7378
Same
@soulman3790
I broke down in tears of loving gratitude too. So beautiful n reverential.
@cindirobinson9683
I love this. Joseph must have been a very special man and I love thinking of his perspective.
@shaynabahr5203
This is my favorite song from the Forgotten Carols. I love this singer's voice!
@richardbarnaby5475
If you ever hear someone say, "I never heard a bass lead", refer them here.
@soulman3790
Me too.