This is a song I wrote a decade ago and worked up as a folk arrangement. I always wanted to hear what it would sound like as a country song, so I collaborated with some friends in Nashville. LindyM came to my aid, as he has often in the past, with just the right piano part and a nice pad. Davidinoz, from Nashville down-under, was kind enough to play bass on this and also do all the mixing. I think I drove him totally crazy with all the mixing changes and so I APOLOGIZE, David. I guess it's the obsessive-compulsive gene in my personality that manifests itself when it comes to trying to make an imperfect song and recording and perfect production. It turned out great in the end. Thanks guys!
This is a song about the first Christmas from the viewpoint of Joseph. Being a Dad and a step-dad myself, I always had a soft spot for Joseph in the story - maybe his wasn't the minor role we usually assign to him in the drama.
I Imagine He Cried
Credits:
Words and music: Rob Talbert
Vocals: Race Godson and Jessica Ford (Nashville)
Piano and Pad: Lindy (LindyM)
Bass: David Timmins (Australia)
Acoustic Guitar: Rob Talbert (Appleluza)
Pedal Steel Guitar:
Drums and tracking: Michael Puwal (Nashville)
Mixing: David Timmins (Davidinoz)
Lyrics
Verse 1
I imagine he cried when she told him the news;
A baby was coming but it was not his.
As he shouldered the burden no husband would chose,
Were the words he spoke gentle and mild?
Joseph loved Mary and Jesus her child.
Verse 2
I imagine she cried at her moment of joy;
Tears spent in happiness, tears spent in pain.
Did she answer at all when he said, "It's a boy"?
Did his hand touch her cheek, did she smile?
Joseph loved Mary and Jesus her child.
Chorus 1
Joseph was a strong man, some thought him a wronged man;
He gave his heart to a woman he loved.
He was her shelter, he kept her, he held her;
That was the kind of a man that he was.
Verse 3
I imagine he cried just a little that night,
Waking in hunger, as new babies do.
Did he fall back to sleep 'till the new morning light
In the arms of a man rocked a while?
Joseph loved Mary and Jesus her child.
Chorus 2
Joseph was a strong man, some thought him a wronged man;
He gave his heart to a woman he loved.
He was her shelter, he kept her, he held her;
That was the kind of a man that he was.
Verse 4
I imagine he cried when they told him the news;
Jesus was taken by soldiers that night.
As he shouldered a burden no father would chose,
Were the words he spoke raging and wild?
Joseph loved Mary and Jesus her child.
Ending
I imagine he cried when they told him the news.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2008, 03:39:06 AM by Appleluza »
Rob Talbert, Songwriter and Producer for
Appleluza, a virtual multi-genre band.
