Lyrics Poor, Poor Joseph - Andrew Lloyd Webber , Linzi Hateley

Next day, far from home
The brothers planned a repulsive crime
(Let us grab him now)
(Do him in, while we've got the time)

This they did, and made the most of it
Tore his coat and flung him in pit
(Let us leave him here)
(All alone and bound to die)
When some Ishmaelites
A hairy crew, came riding by

In a flash, the brothers changed their plan
(We need cash, let's sell him if we can)

Poor, poor Joseph—whatcha gonna do?
Things look bad for you, hey—whatcha gonna do?
Poor, poor Joseph—whatcha gonna do?
Things look bad for you, hey—whatcha gonna do?

Could you use a slave
You hairy bunch of Ishmaelites?
Young, strong, well-behaved
Going cheap, and he reads and writes

In a trice, the dirty deal was done
Silver coins for Jacob's favorite son
Then the Ishmaelites galloped off with a slave in tow
Off to Egypt where Joseph was not keen to go
It wouldn't be a picnic he could tell
(Oh, and I don't speak Egyptian very well)

Joseph's brothers tore his precious multi-colored coat
Having ripped it up, they next attacked a passing goat
Soon the wretched creature was no more
They dipped his coat in blood and guts and gore

Oh now, brothers—how low can you stoop?
You make a sordid group, hey—how low can you stoop?
Poor, poor Joseph—sold to be a slave
Situation's grave, hey—sold to be a slave