Israel spat for Wellington's children's festival Artsplash

Sir Tim Rice warned he hadn't given permission for any changes. Photo / AP

Wellington City Council has been forced to apologise to multi-award winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, after the word "Israel" was removed from his work being used for a children's festival.

Lyrics from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat were being used as part of Wellington's annual children's festival, Artsplash.

But the song sheets soon sparked controversy, after the line "Children of Israel" was changed to "Children of Kindness".

@WgtnCC do u have @SirTimRice's permission to alter his lyrics, re changes made to 'Close Every Door' song in upcoming Artsplash fest?

— Kate Dowling (@Kate_DowlingNZ) June 15, 2017

Questions were raised on Twitter by Kate Dowling, who asked why it was done.

That tweet prompted a response from Rice himself, who warned he hadn't given permission for any changes.

@WgtnCC Please explain Joseph lyric change: "children of Israel" to "children of kindness". Permission not given. Tim Rice. @Kate_DowlingNZ

— Tim Rice (@SirTimRice) June 16, 2017

He described the "totally unauthorised" change of lyrics as "a terribly drippy and meaningless alteration".

Wellington City Council moved quickly to fix the mess, apologising and telling Rice they loved his work.

A community coordinator made an error in judgement which we will rectify before the schoolkids perform in Sept. Sorry, we love your work.

— Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) June 16, 2017

Rice left it at that, telling the council he appreciated the speedy correction.

Artsplash Coordinator Mary Prichard told Fairfax the change was made to "keep life simple" at a festival for primary school children.

Many thanks. I greatly appreciate your generous and speedy correction. TR

— Tim Rice (@SirTimRice) June 16, 2017

After the complaints about the lyric changes, organisers decided to remove the song from its programme entirely, rather than change them back.

Prichard said it wasn't worth it to go "looking for trouble".