"A Better Way?" Original Hymn (Joseph's Dream)
"A Better Way?" Original Hymn (Joseph's Dream)
DIGITAL SHEET MUSIC DOWNLOAD
This hymn, originally written for the From Generation to Generation bundle for Advent 2022, is created for use in congregational worship and other ministry contexts. We’ve set fresh words of faith to a well-loved public domain hymn tune for maximum singability.
License for congregational use is included in the purchase—no reporting to CCLI or other licensing agencies is required. To inquire about other uses, such as recording or publishing, please contact us.
“A Better Way”
Inspired by Matthew 1:18-25
Tune: GOD REST YOU MERRY (8.6.8.6.8.6 with refrain)
Words: Anna Strickland, 2022
Music: Traditional English carol, 18th century
DOWNLOAD includes:
PDF sheet music with four-part harmony
PNG image of the lyrics and melody for use in bulletins
Lyrics to copy and paste for bulletins and screens
Lyrics:
When Joseph learned of Mary’s state
He pondered her disgrace
He calculated all the shame
The scandal would create
But not content to see her stoned
He offered her some grace
Refrain:
Oh, there is a better way, God’s better way
Oh, we can choose the better way
He planned to leave her quietly
And not create a scene
But Mary still would grow with child
What then would her fate be?
When Joseph went to sleep that night
An angel intervened
Refrain
Said Gabriel, “Joseph, do not fear
To make Mary your wife
She bears inside her womb the hope
Of everlasting life
The son that she will bear to you
Is Jesus the Messiah”
Refrain
Like Joseph woke from sleep to find
His pathway had been changed
Still here today God calls us all
To choose the better way
Beyond our wildest dreams is still
A calling that remains
Refrain
credit info:
Hymn text by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art, LLC | sanctifiedart.org
