As for the rest of the song, I think I'm inclining towards it being Joseph singing about Mary, and how basically he's hoping like crazy that she's right about everything she believes about her son, because their lives have been turned upside down on account of him. In theme with the 'woman king' concept, I get the impression she's been the one taking the lead between them, because she's so sure about what God's said etc., and he's following her with a mixture of love, awe and terror.
This is a really confusing state for him to find himself in. He's supposed to be the man; he thought he'd prepared a good life for himself and his bride, but then this baby happened, and suddenly here they are, political refugees, on the run from place to place, trying to protect this fragile little bundle from murderous soldiers ("hoof-marks hacked up all I had to offer you").
On top of that, their friends and families probably all think she's a liar and is just trying to hide the fact that she's conceived out of wedlock ("carry your shame") - which also makes Joseph look a bit of a fool. If she is lying, then he really is a blind Samson to her Delilah, being led towards his doom, all for the sake of a woman.
In short, he's staked all he has on this woman and her crazy assertions, and he has to admit he's terrified, but there's something about her that makes him trust her. If she's right about how important this child is going to prove to be, maybe freedom is just around the corner - for them, and maybe for others too. And for his part, he's betting his 'dollar' on it.
As for the rest of the song, I think I'm inclining towards it being Joseph singing about Mary, and how basically he's hoping like crazy that she's right about everything she believes about her son, because their lives have been turned upside down on account of him. In theme with the 'woman king' concept, I get the impression she's been the one taking the lead between them, because she's so sure about what God's said etc., and he's following her with a mixture of love, awe and terror.
This is a really confusing state for him to find himself in. He's supposed to be the man; he thought he'd prepared a good life for himself and his bride, but then this baby happened, and suddenly here they are, political refugees, on the run from place to place, trying to protect this fragile little bundle from murderous soldiers ("hoof-marks hacked up all I had to offer you").
On top of that, their friends and families probably all think she's a liar and is just trying to hide the fact that she's conceived out of wedlock ("carry your shame") - which also makes Joseph look a bit of a fool. If she is lying, then he really is a blind Samson to her Delilah, being led towards his doom, all for the sake of a woman.
In short, he's staked all he has on this woman and her crazy assertions, and he has to admit he's terrified, but there's something about her that makes him trust her. If she's right about how important this child is going to prove to be, maybe freedom is just around the corner - for them, and maybe for others too. And for his part, he's betting his 'dollar' on it.