He Changed His Prison Clothes

Lyrics

Written by Carl Hicks Jr. / SESAC

[Chorus – Full Choir, Slow and Soulful]
He changed his prison clothes
He changed his prison clothes
Joseph heard the king was calling
So he changed his prison clothes

Years beneath the surface
Dreams nobody knew
But when the appointed hour came
The palace sent for Joseph

He changed his prison clothes
He changed his prison clothes
What looked like a forgotten life
Was turning toward the throne

[Bridge – Warm Stacked Harmonies]
They took him from the dungeon
They brought him up in haste

He shaved
He changed his raiment
And stood before the king

Can you understand this dream?
Can you make the meaning plain?

It is not in me
But God shall give Pharaoh peace

God remembered
God remembered

Every word
He spoke to Joseph

[Chorus – Rising Strings and Brass Hits]
He changed his prison clothes
He changed his prison clothes
One morning in the dungeon
By evening near the throne

The ring came from Pharaoh
Fine linen covered him

The man they sold and buried
Was raised above the kingdom

He changed his prison clothes
He changed his prison clothes
God turned the waiting season
And Joseph changed his clothes

[Bridge – Dynamic Choir Changes]
Pit first
Still chosen

Prison next
Still chosen

Dream delayed
Still chosen

God remained
Through every season

Seven years
Of plenty

Seven years
Of need

God gave Joseph wisdom
To prepare what Egypt would need

What they meant
For evil

God turned it
For good

[Repetitive Run – Slow-Burning Choir Pocket]
Take them off
Take them off

Take the prison clothes off

Take them off
Take them off

The king is calling now

Wash your face
Lift your head

The waiting
Is not wasted

Wash your face
Lift your head

God kept every promise

From the pit
To the prison

From the prison
To the palace

From the dream
To the answer

From the pain
To the purpose

Joseph
Joseph

God remembered Joseph

Joseph
Joseph

The king sent for Joseph

Ring on his hand
Chain on his neck

Fine linen
After all that neglect

God turned it
God turned it

God turned the whole thing around

[Choir Run – Powerful Layered Harmonies]
They stripped him once
God dressed him again

They sold him once
God raised him again

They lied on him
God cleared his name

They tried to bury him
But purpose still remained

No pit
Could cancel it

No prison
Could cancel it

No delay
Could cancel it

What God had spoken
Still stood

[Outro – Full Orchestra, Controlled Choir]
He entered as a prisoner
But left there second in command

The dream that looked forgotten
Was still inside God's hand

The famine would be coming
But wisdom filled the throne

Joseph left the dungeon
And changed his prison clothes

He changed his prison clothes
He changed his prison clothes

[Final Choir Hit]
The king is calling now!