The musician Martyn Joseph gives 20 answers

What is your favourite time of year?
Probably late December. It’s the time of year when all travel is done, I’m off the road and able to catch up with everything else.

Where would you like your mortal remains to go?
Yikes, what a question. I’m very claustrophobic so the wooden box in the ground thing doesn’t appeal. Nor any of the alternatives to be honest.

When did you last pray?
Officially, at the recent funeral of a friend. Otherwise, it tends to takes the form of an onward open dialogue. Lots of questions.

Who was your first pet?
A dog called Shandy. He was lovely.

Pick three words to describe your faith.
Vulnerable, wavering, journey.

Do you dance?
I do! I occasionally like to check if I still have a decent sense of rhythm.

Are things getting better or worse?
The glass is half full and its a beautiful glass.

What is in your pockets?
Keys, a bank note and nail file. The slightest indent in a nail will change the guitar’s tone.

What is your favourite bit of the Bible?
The Beatitudes.

What is your least favourite bit of the Bible?
I think Jesus not trying to visit John the Baptist when he was in prison was a bit rough.

What is the best thing in the zoo?
Weird fish.

What makes you laugh?
My wife Justine. She can always bring a smile to any situation. Love Morecambe and Wise too.

What makes you cry?
Too much really. I can be happy to be sad. Tears can arrive at any given moment. They remind me that I’m alive.

What was your favourite school subject?
Failed my music O-level so that’s out. Probably history.

What would be your one question to God?
Is is true?

What is your proudest achievement?
Youngest ever Club Champion at Glamorganshire Golf Club. Won it for the first time at the age of 17 and the record still stands.

Which Old Testament character would you most like to meet?
Solomon. Need that wisdom.

What is your karaoke choice?
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.

What is your favourite hymn?
‘O Love that will not let me go’.

Who was your childhood hero?
Jack Nicklaus.

What is your favourite phrase from another language?
There is a Welsh word Hiraeth. It’s meaning is a mixture of longing, yearning and nostalgia. I love that word, it sums up a lot.

Is there life after death?
I don’t know. No one does, no matter what they say.

What is your most favoured charity?
Justine and I formed a charity called Let Yourself Trust a few years ago. It runs alongside the music and we support grassroot projects across the globe. We change project every six months which has given us a wide and beautiful portfolio. Its seeing amazing results thanks to the generosity of the wider community that gets the music I play.

Martyn Joseph is a singer/songwriter. His latest album, Sanctuary, was released in 2015 by Pipe Records

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This article was published in the September 2016 edition of  Reform.

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