Hill is noted as a humanitarian, and in 1996 she received an Essence Award for work which has included the 1996 founding of the Refugee Project, an outreach organization that supports a two-week overnight camp for at-risk youth, and for supporting well-building projects in Kenya and Uganda, as well as for staging a rap concert in Harlem to promote voter registration.
In 1999's Grammy Awards, Hill was nominated eleven times and won Album of the Year (beating Madonna's critically acclaimed album Ray of Light), Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album, setting a new record for a female performer.
Hill has four children with retired (American) football player Rohan Marley, son of the late reggae music icon, Bob Marley: Zion David Marley, born 1997, Selah Louise Marley, born 1998, and second son Joshua, born 2002. A fourth child, John, was born in 2003 and the couple married soon after.
Early life
Lauryn Hill was born in East Orange, New Jersey. Hill was the second of two children born to high school English teacher Valerie Hill and computer programmer Mal Hill. As a child, Hill incessantly listened to her parents' Motown and 1960s soul records. Music was a central part of the Hill home. Mal Hill sang at weddings, Valerie played the piano, and Lauryn's older brother Melaney played the saxophone, guitar and drums.
Hill graduated from Columbia High School (New Jersey) in Maplewood, New Jersey. Hill was an active student, cheerleader, and performer. She began her acting career at a young age, and started performing music in 1987. In 1988, 13-year old Hill appeared as an Amateur Night contestant on It's Showtime at the Apollo. Hill sang her own version of William "Smokey" Robinson's song "Who's Lovin' You?". A nervous Hill sung far away from the mic and was heckled at first; but persisted and finished her song to a standing applause, though she did not win.
Hill was childhood friends with actor Zach Braff and they both graduated from Columbia High School in 1993. Braff mentions inviting Hill to his bar Mitzvah in 1988.[1]
Hill appeared on the soap opera, As The World Turns as Kira Johnson. In December 1993, she starred in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" as Rita Louise Watson. In the film, she performed the songs "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (a duet with Tanya Blount) and "Joyful,Joyful" . It was in this role, as Rita, that she first came to national prominence, with Roger Ebert calling her "the girl with the big joyful voice". Although Sister Act I and II were originally conceived as vehicles for comedian Whoopi Goldberg, the second installment won Lauryn equal notice.
Her other acting work includes the play Club XII with MC Lyte, and the motion pictures King of the Hill (as Arletta the Elevator Operator), Hav Plenty (1997), and Restaurant (1998). She appeared on the soundtracks to Conspiracy Theory in 1996 (on the track "Can't Take My Eyes Off You") and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood in 2002 (on the track "Selah").
Her most recent album (mixtape) entitled "The Re-Education of Lauryn Hill" was released in 2007.
Freedom Time
Lauryn Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody knows that they guilty
Resting on their conscience eating their inside
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Time to get free, or give yourselves up now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time
[Rapping]
Yo, there's a war in the mind, over territory
For the dominion
Who will dominate the opinion
Skisms and isms, keepin' us in forms of religion
Conformin' our vision
To the world church of decision
Trapped in a section
Submitted to committing election
Moral infection
Epidemic lies and deception
Insurrection
Of the highest possible order
Destortin' our tape recorders
From hearin' like under water
Beyond the borders
Find the sin in disorder
Bound by the strategy
A systematic deprivaty
Heavy as gravity
Head first in the cavity
Without a bottom
A fate, worse than Sodom
What's got 'em, drunk off the spirits
Truth comes, we can't hear it
When you've been, programmed to fear it
I had a vision I was fallin' in indescision
Apallin', callin' religious
Some program on television
How can, dominant wisdom
Be recognized in the system
Of Anti-Christ, the majority rules
Intelligent fools
PhD's in illusion
Masters of massconfusion
Bachelors in past illusion
Now who you choosin'
The head, the tail
The bloodshed of male
Or confidence in the tale
Conference is in Yale
Discussin' doctrines of bail
Causin' people to fail
Keepin' the third in jail
His word is nail
Everything to the tree
Severing all of me
From all that I used to be
Formless and void
Totally paranoid
Enjoy darkness as Lord
Keepin' me from the sword
Block for mercy
Bitter than cerasee
Hungry and thirsty
For good meat we would eat
And still, dined at the table of deceit
How incomplete
From confrontation to retreat
We belong, the true enemies defeat
Destitute a necessity
Causin' desperation to get the best of me
Punishment 'til there was nothing left of me
Realizin' the inescapable death of me
No options in the valley of decision
The only doctrine, supernatural circumcision
Inwardly, only water can purge the heart
From words to fiery darts
Thrown by the workers of the arts
Iniquity, shapen in
There's no escapin' when
Your whole philosophy is paper thin
In vanity
The wide road is insanity
Could it be all of humanity
Picture that
Scripture that
The origin of a man's heart is black
How can we show up for
An invisible war
Preoccupied with a shadow, makin' love with a whore
Achin' in sores
Babylon, the great mystery
Mother of human history
System of social sorcery
Our present condition
Needs serious recognition
Where there's no repentance there can be no remission
And that sentence, more serious than Vietnam
The atom bomb is Saddam and Minister Farakkkhan
What's goin' on, what's the priority to you
What authority do we do
When the majority hasn't a clue
We majored in curses
Search the chapters, check the verses
Recapture the land
Remove the mark from off of our hands
So we can stand
In agreement with his command
Everything else is damned
Let them with ears understand
Everything else is damned, let them with ears understand
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's freedom, I'ma be who I am
It's freedom time, said it's freedom time
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody knows that they've perpetrated inside
Everybody knows that they guilty, yes
Resting on their conscience eating their insides
Get free, be who you're suppost to be
Freedom, said it's freedom time now
Freedom, said it's freedom time
Freedom, freedom time now
The lyrics of Lauryn Hill's "Freedom Time" suggest a societal acknowledgment of guilt as people live with the lies and deceit they've perpetuated. The song stresses the need for freedom, for people to be who they are supposed to be. The lyrics state a war is happening in people's minds for their thoughts on which religion to follow and conform to, and those thoughts shape their world. The song highlights the infectious lies and deception that come into the world and play their part in everyone's lives. The lyrics state that people are trapped in a section and submitted to committing to the election, a moral infection, an epidemic of lies, and deception. The truth, when it comes, can't be recognized, as people are programmed to fear it. The song describes the existence of darkness and deception in the world, leading people to chose subjects that eventually lead them to fail.
The rap section of the song speaks about the necessity for an inward transformation that can be performed only by water. It continues to imply that the notion of the path chosen by most intelligent people is often a false path, only leading them towards illusions. The song highlights the vanity and madness of the world and suggests that people are preoccupied with a shadow, making love with a whore, referring to societal fabrications. The lyricist urges people to seek the presence of God and realize their relationship with their higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows that they guilty
Everyone is aware that they are guilty of wrongdoing
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody acknowledges their own dishonesty
Everybody knows that they guilty
Everyone is fully conscious of their guilt
Resting on their conscience eating their inside
Their guilt weighs heavily on their conscience, causing internal turmoil
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
The need for liberation is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Emphasizing the need for liberation once again
Time to get free, or give yourselves up now
It is time to break free from the shackles of oppression or surrender entirely
It's freedom, said it's freedom time
Reaffirming the importance of freedom
[Rapping]
Transitioning to a rap section
Yo, there's a war in the mind, over territory
A battle is raging within the mind, fighting for control
For the dominion
To establish authority and power
Who will dominate the opinion
Whoever controls the narrative will shape public opinion
Skisms and isms, keepin' us in forms of religion
Divisions and ideologies confine us within rigid religious structures
Conformin' our vision
Forcing us to conform to a limited worldview
To the world church of decision
Surrendering our choice to a global religious authority
Trapped in a section
Imprisoned within a specific ideology or belief system
Submitted to committing election
Complying with predetermined political choices
Moral infection
A widespread corruption of moral values
Epidemic lies and deception
A contagious spread of lies and deceit
Insurrection
Revolt against the established order
Of the highest possible order
An uprising with great significance and impact
Destortin' our tape recorders
Distorting our ability to perceive the truth
From hearin' like under water
Making it difficult to listen clearly and discern reality
Beyond the borders
Transcending imposed limitations and boundaries
Find the sin in disorder
Identifying the root cause of chaos and disarray
Bound by the strategy
Restrained by a calculated plan or approach
A systematic deprivaty
A purposeful and organized state of moral corruption
Heavy as gravity
Weighing down heavily on the soul
Head first in the cavity
Being immersed deeply in darkness and despair
Without a bottom
Without any hope or end in sight
A fate, worse than Sodom
A destiny more dreadful than that of Sodom and Gomorrah
What's got 'em, drunk off the spirits
Being intoxicated and controlled by negative influences
Truth comes, we can't hear it
The truth is presented, but it goes unheard and ignored
When you've been, programmed to fear it
Conditioned to be afraid of the truth and resist it
I had a vision I was fallin' in indescision
Experiencing confusion and uncertainty in a moment of revelation
Apallin', callin' religious
Feeling shocked and distressed, seeking divine guidance
Some program on television
A religious program on TV that brings revelation
How can, dominant wisdom
Questioning the authority and validity of prevailing wisdom
Be recognized in the system
How can true wisdom be acknowledged within the existing system
Of Anti-Christ, the majority rules
The prevailing power structure operates against true spiritual values
Intelligent fools
Those who possess knowledge but lack wisdom
PhD's in illusion
Highly educated individuals who are trapped by false perceptions
Masters of massconfusion
Experts in creating widespread confusion and chaos
Bachelors in past illusion
Those who have dedicated their lives to false beliefs of the past
Now who you choosin'
Asking which path or ideology one will follow
The head, the tail
The leaders or the followers
The bloodshed of male
The violent consequences of male-dominated systems
Or confidence in the tale
Believing in the narrative or story presented
Conference is in Yale
Critical discussions and decision-making happen at prestigious institutions like Yale
Discussin' doctrines of bail
Debating and analyzing legal and religious doctrines
Causin' people to fail
Leading people to experience defeat and disappointment
Keepin' the third in jail
Suppressing and imprisoning the true spiritual essence
His word is nail
The truth and teachings of God are solid and unchanging
Everything to the tree
Sacrificing and surrendering everything to God
Severing all of me
Cutting away all that is impure and false within oneself
From all that I used to be
Breaking free from one's past self and behaviors
Formless and void
Empty and lacking direction or purpose
Totally paranoid
Completely consumed by fear and mistrust
Enjoy darkness as Lord
Finding comfort and acceptance in a life of darkness
Keepin' me from the sword
Protecting oneself from the truth and its transformative power
Block for mercy
Putting up barriers that prevent receiving mercy or forgiveness
Bitter than cerasee
Experiencing bitterness and bitterness that is worse than cerasee (a bitter tropical herb)
Hungry and thirsty
Longing and yearning for something more fulfilling
For good meat we would eat
Craving nourishment and substance in our lives
And still, dined at the table of deceit
Despite our hunger, we continue to indulge in falsehoods and lies
How incomplete
Realizing the inadequacy and emptiness of our current state
From confrontation to retreat
Moving from confronting our problems to withdrawing and avoiding them
We belong, the true enemies defeat
As a united front, we can overcome our true adversaries
Destitute a necessity
Being deprived of essential needs
Causin' desperation to get the best of me
Desperation begins to consume and control one's actions and decisions
Punishment 'til there was nothing left of me
Facing consequences and enduring punishment until there is nothing left
Realizin' the inescapable death of me
Coming to understand the inevitable destruction of one's true self
No options in the valley of decision
Feeling trapped and without choices in a critical moment
The only doctrine, supernatural circumcision
The only way out is through a spiritual transformation and rebirth
Inwardly, only water can purge the heart
Inner purity can only be achieved through a cleansing process
From words to fiery darts
Transforming from empty words to powerful and transformative expressions
Thrown by the workers of the arts
Delivered by the skilled and talented individuals in the creative field
Iniquity, shapen in
The presence of sin and evil that has taken form
There's no escapin' when
There is no way to evade or avoid the consequences
Your whole philosophy is paper thin
The foundational beliefs and principles are weak and superficial
In vanity
In a self-centered and pointless pursuit
The wide road is insanity
Following the popular and easy path leads to madness
Could it be all of humanity
Is it possible that humanity as a whole is affected
Picture that
Consider and imagine that possibility
Scripture that
Reflect and study the teachings of scripture
The origin of a man's heart is black
Recognize that the root of human nature is tainted
How can we show up for
How can we be present and accountable for
An invisible war
A conflict that is unseen and internal
Preoccupied with a shadow, makin' love with a whore
Being consumed by illusions and engaging in empty pursuits
Achin' in sores
Suffering from the wounds and consequences of our actions
Babylon, the great mystery
Referring to the corrupt and oppressive system symbolized by Babylon
Mother of human history
The source and origin of humanity's dark past
System of social sorcery
A manipulative and deceptive societal structure
Our present condition
The current state we find ourselves in
Needs serious recognition
Requires sincere acknowledgement and attention
Where there's no repentance there can be no remission
Without genuine remorse, there can be no forgiveness
And that sentence, more serious than Vietnam
The consequences are graver and more profound than the Vietnam War
The atom bomb is Saddam and Minister Farakkkhan
Comparing the destructive power of the atom bomb to Saddam Hussein and Minister Farakkkhan
What's goin' on, what's the priority to you
Questioning one's perspective and priorities
What authority do we do
What kind of authority are we submitting to
When the majority hasn't a clue
When the majority is unaware or ignorant
We majored in curses
We focused on and specialized in negative and harmful actions
Search the chapters, check the verses
Examine the teachings and guidance provided in religious texts
Recapture the land
Reclaim and restore what has been lost
Remove the mark from off of our hands
Erase the stains of guilt and wrongdoing from our actions
So we can stand
Allowing us to rise and be firm
In agreement with his command
Aligned with and obedient to God's instructions
Everything else is damned
Everything else is condemned and of no value
Let them with ears understand
May those who can listen and comprehend grasp the message
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Reiterating the urgency of embracing freedom
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Stating once again that the time for freedom has come
It's freedom, I'ma be who I am
Embracing personal authenticity and individuality
It's freedom time, said it's freedom time
Affirming that the time for liberation is now
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everyone acknowledges their own dishonesty
Everybody knows that they've perpetrated inside
Everyone is aware of the harm they have caused internally
Everybody knows that they guilty, yes
There is no denying that they are guilty
Resting on their conscience eating their insides
Their guilt consumes them and eats away at their soul
Get free, be who you're suppost to be
Break free from constraints and embrace your true self
Freedom, said it's freedom time now
Reaffirming the importance and urgency of freedom
Freedom, said it's freedom time
Echoing the call for liberation
Freedom, freedom time now
Emphasizing that the time for freedom is immediate
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAURYN HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MELIBANANADUREX
Singing chorus]
Everybody knows that they're guilty
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody knows that they're guilty
Resting on their conscience eating their inside
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
Time to get free, oh give yourselves up now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time
[First and only verse]
Yo, thers's a war in the mind, over territory
For the dominion
Who will dominate the opinion
Skisms and isms, keepin' us in forms of religion
Conformin' our vision
To the world churches decision
Trapped in a section
Submitted to committe election
Moral Infection
Epedimic lies and deception
Insurrection
Of the highest possible order
Destortin' our tape recorders
From here and like underwater
Beyond the borders
Fond of sin and disorder
Bound by strategy
It's systematic deprivaty
Heavy as gravity
Head first in the cavity
Without a bottom
A fate worse than Sodom
What's got 'em
Drunk of the spirits
Truth comes, we can't hear it
When you've been, programmed to fear it
I had a vision
I was fallin' in indecision
Apallin', callin' religion
Some program on television
How can dominant wisdom
Be recognized in the system
Of Anti-Christ, the majority rules
Intelligent fools
PhD's in illusion
Masters of mass confusion
Bachelors in past illusion
Now who you choosin'
The head or the tail
The bloodshed of male
Or confidance in the veil
Conferences of Yale
Discussin' doctrines of Baal
Causin' people to fail
Keepin' the third in jail
His word has nailed
Everything to the tree
Severing all of mefrom all thatI used to be
Formless and void
Totally paronoid
Enjoy darkness as the Lord
Keepin' me from the sword
Blocked from mercy
Bitter than ceras
Hungry and thirst
For good meat we would eat
And still, dined at the table of deceit
How incomplete
From confrontation to rertreat
We prolong the true enemies defeat
Destitute a necessity
Causin' desperation to get the best of me
Punishment 'til there was nothing left of me
Realizin' the unescapable death of me
No options in the valley of decision
The only doctrine's supernatural circumcision
Inwardly only water can purge the heart
From words, the fiery darts
Thrown by the workers of the arts
Iniquity, shapen in
There's no escapin' when
Your whole philosphy is paper thin
In Vanity
The wide road is insanity
Could it be all of humanity?
Picture that
Scripture that
The origin of man's heart is black
How can we show up for
An invisible war
Preoccupied with a shadow, makin' love with a whore
Achin' in sores
Babylon, the great mystery
Mother of human history
System of social sorcery
Our present condition
Needs serious recognition
Where there's no repentance there can be no remission
In that sentence, more serious than Vietnam,
The atom bomb, andSaddam and Minister Farakkhan
What's goin' on, what's the priority to you
By what authority do we do
The majority hasn't a clue
We majored in curses
Search the chapters, check the verses
Recapture the land
Remove the mark from off of iur hands
So we can stand
In agreement with his command
Everything else is damned
Let them with ears understand
Everthing else is damned, let them with ears understand
[Singing chorus]
It's freedom, sais it's freedom time now
It's freedom, said it's freedom time now
It's feeedom. I'ma be who I am
It's freedom time, said it's freedom time
Everybody knows that they've lied
Everybody knows that they've perpetrated inside
Everybody knows that they're guilty, yes
Resting ont their conscience eating their insides
Get free, be who you're supposed to be
Freedom, said it's freedom time noe
Freedom, said it's freedom time
Freedom, freedom time now
@MrJgreat
..and they thought she was crazy.. all praises to the most high for her waking up
@barbeeivy3977
They knew she wasn't crazy but "they" damn sure wanted us to believe it.
@MrJgreat
@@barbeeivy3977 totally agree
@shonellestrong-mccall1168
Amen yes All Praise the Most High!!!!
@IAmtheVisionBoard
Barbee Ivy yes indeed!!!
@robertgould6560
who jah bless, no man curse 🙌🏽♾🙏🏽
@idrismckenzie4155
These lyrics have got to be thee most relevant words for humanity right now.
@kamiiya
"Truth comes and you can't hear it, because you've been programmed to fear it"
@robmancer5286
Wow
@shakawalker9921
Nice