Who's The Thief
Andrew Lloyd Webber · Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat [1968]
Stop, you robbers-
Your little number's up
One of you has stolen
My precious golden cup
(Narrator)
Joseph started searching
Through his brothers' sacks
Everyone was nervous
No-one could relax
(Children)
Who's the thief?
Who's the thief?
Who's the thief?
Who's the thief?
(Narrator & Children)
Is it Reuben? No
Is it Simeon? No
Is it Napthali? No
Is it Dan? No
Is it Asher? No
Is it Isaachar? No
Is it Levi? No
Who's the man?
Is it Zebulon? No
Is it Gad? No
Is it Judah? No
Is it him?
(Children)
Could it be, could it be
Could it be, could it be
Could it be, could it be
(Narrator)
Could it possibly be Benjamin?
(Children)
Yes Yes Yes
(Joseph)
Benjamin, you nasty youth
Your crime has shocked me to the core
Never in my whole career
Have I encountered this before
Guards, seize him! Lock him in a cell
Throw the keys into the Nile as well
(Narrator)
Each of the brothers fell to his knees
(Brothers)
Show him some mercy, oh mighty one, please
He would not do that, he must have been framed
Jail us and beat us, we should blamed
Who's The Thief
Performed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Who's The Thief" is a central piece from the 1968 musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The song serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, where the protagonist confronts the accusation of theft that drives the plot forward. Composed in the style of a traditional English folk ballad, the track blends theatrical drama with acoustic instrumentation to heighten the emotional stakes of the scene. As a staple of the original production, it remains a defining example of Webber's early work in musical theatre, showcasing his ability to integrate storytelling through music. The piece has since become a signature element of the Dreamcoat's legacy, frequently performed in revivals and studied for its dramatic impact.