When Joseph Went to Bethlehem

Author: Bessie Saunders Spencer
Composer: I. Reed Payne


Languages (42)

This song text has been indexed at SingPraises.net in the following languages:



Statistics

Most common tunes for “When Joseph Went to Bethlehem”

This chart shows the tunes that are paired with this text most frequently, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the text appears with the same tune in multiple editions or translations of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once.


Appearances of “When Joseph Went to Bethlehem” over time

This timeline shows which tunes have been used with this text over time, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


Representative lyrics

English (Original Language)

1. When Joseph went to Bethlehem, I think he took great care To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there. He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back, And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.

2. I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild And awed to be the guardian of Mary’s sacred child. Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands, And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph’s gentle hands.

3. And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern’s light And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.

Compare

Compare different versions of the lyrics side-by-side: English