Her classic, critically acclaimed debut album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill went outside of the box for female rappers of her kind, making listeners think about greater causes in their community and how to be a powerful female without selling yourself short. The album also proved to be a huge landmark in rap, as it combined rap, r&b and neo-soul into a unique and beautiful mixture, full of different religious stories and concepts.
Although she retired after the success of her debut, mostly due to her child, Lauryn continued to make appearances at different shows (including at a concert with Drake in 2014). Shortly after announcing her official retirement, Lauryn returned to the scene to release MTV Unplugged 2.0, a live album where she explored with folk, departing from her rap/neo-soul style. Hill is also set to perform tracks from Miseducation in 2018 on its 20th Anniversary.
In a world where sex sells, Lauryn proved that her brand of empowering and soulful music is everlasting.
Mystery of Iniquity
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
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Said it's the misery of Inequity
Said it's the history of Inequity
When it all
All falls down
Telling you all
It all falls down
Eat your bread
Little children
Eat your bread
'cause it all
All falls down
Telling you all
It all falls down
Yo!
Ya'll can't handle the truth in a courtroom of lies
Perjures the jurors
Witness despised
Crooked lawyers
False Indictments publicized
Its entertainmentthe arraignments
The subpoenas
High profile gladiators in bloodthirsty arenas
Enter the Dragon
Black-robe crooked-balance
Souls bought and sold and paroled for thirty talents
Court reporter catch the surface on the paper
File it in the system not acknowledged by the Maker
Swearing by the bible blatantly blasphemous
Publicly perpetrating that "In God We Trust"
Cross-examined by a master manipulator
The faster intimidator
Receiving the judge's favor
Deceiving sabers doing injury to they neighbors
For status, gratis, apparatus and legal waivers
See the bailiff
Representing security
Holding the word of God soliciting perjury
The prosecution
Political prostitution
The more money you pay.. the further away solution
Legal actors
Babylon's benefactors
Masquerading as the agency for the clients
Hypocritical giants
Morally non-compliant
Orally armed to do bodily harm
Polluted, recruited and suited judicial charm
And the defense isn't making any sense
Faking the confidence of escaping the consequence
That a defendant is depending on the system
Totally void of judgment purposely made to twist em'
Emotional victim blackmailed by the henchmen
Framed by intentions
Inventions whereby they lynch men
Enter the false witness slandering the accused
Planting the seed openly showing he's being used
To discredit, edit, headed for the alleged
Smearing the individual fearing the unsuspected
Expert witness (the paid authority)
Made a priority to deceive the majority
Of disinterested peers
Dodging duty for years
Hating the process
waiting to be returning to their careers
Do we expect the system made for the elect
To possibly judge correct?
Properly serve and protect?
Materially corrupt
Spiritually amuck
Oblivious to the cause
Prosperously bankrupt
Blind leading the blind
Guilty never defined
Filthy as swine
A generation purin it's own mind
Legal extortion
Blown out of proportion
In vein deceit
The truth is obsolete
Only two positions:
Victimizer or Victim
Both end up in destruction trusting this crooked system
Mafia with diplomas keeping us in a coma trying to own a piece
of the "American Corona"
The Revolving Door
Insanity every floor
Skyscraping, paper chasing
What are we working for?
Empty traditions
Reaching social positions
Teaching ambition to support the family superstition?
When the Son of Podition is Commander in Chief
The standard is Thief
Brethren can we candidly speak?
Woe to the men
Trusted in the chariots dem'
Leaning on horses
They run their intellectual sources
Counterfeit wisdom creating the illusion of freedom
Confusion consumes them
Every word they speak it turns them out really white
Internally they absent of light
trapped in the night and bonded to the Cain of the night
Under the curse
Evil men waxing more worse
Faxing the first
Angelic being cast to the earth
It's time for rebirth
Burnin' up the branch and the root
The empty pursuits of every tree bearing the wrong fruit
Turning me ill
Let him who stole, no longer steal
Oh it's real
Surrender for Jehovah is real
How long will you sleep
Troubled by the thoughts that YOU keep
The idols YOU heap
Causing the destruction you reap
Judgment has come
Find it and return to the One
Abandon the flesh
Self-interest: Broadway to death
Pride and the Greed
Hide and subdividing the seed
The knowledge of Good and Evil is what caused us to lie
Caused us to die
Let your emotions be crucified
Renounce all your thoughts
Repent and let your mind be re-taught
You'll find what you soughtwas based on the deception you bought
A perception of naught
Where the majority remains caught
Loving a lie
Not realizing in Adam, all die
Loving a lie
Not realizing in Adam, all die
Loving a lie
Not realizing in Adam, all die
Loving a lie
Not realizing in Adam, all die
It's the mystery of Inequity
Say it's the history of Inequity
Say it's the misery of Inequity
When it all
All falls down
I'm telling you all
It all falls down
The lyrics of "Mystery of Iniquity" by Ms. Lauryn Hill explore the theme of inequality and injustice, particularly within the legal system. The song criticizes the corrupt practices and deception prevalent in the courtroom, shedding light on various aspects of the system that contribute to its failure.
The opening lines, "It's the mystery of Inequity, Said it's the misery of Inequity, Said it's the history of Inequity, When it all, All falls down," suggest that the song will delve into the root causes and consequences of inequality. Hill emphasizes that the system is flawed and ultimately leads to societal downfall.
The following section focuses on children and their vulnerability to the effects of inequality. Hill encourages them to be conscious of the system and its pitfalls, urging them to protect themselves. By stating, "Little children, eat your bread," she is metaphorically advising them to gain knowledge and awareness to challenge the inequalities they may face.
The subsequent verses present a scathing critique of the legal system, using powerful imagery and metaphors to illustrate its faults. Hill denounces the lies that pervade courtrooms, the biases of jurors, and the manipulative tactics of lawyers. She highlights how money and status influence outcomes, further undermining justice.
Hill also questions the integrity of those involved in the system, from the bailiff and court reporters to the prosecution and defense. She exposes their hypocrisy and moral failings, remarking on the harmful effects they perpetuate. The song emphasizes the manipulation, deception, and moral bankruptcy that prevail within the legal process.
The closing lines touch on the consequences of embracing a lie and the ignorance surrounding the flaws in the system. Hill references religious themes and urges listeners to awaken from their slumber and seek truth. She urges individuals to abandon their selfish desires and look beyond their own interests, recognizing the impact of their actions on the larger society.
Overall, "Mystery of Iniquity" serves as a powerful critique of inequality, corruption, and injustice. The lyrics challenge listeners to question and confront the systemic flaws, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth and striving for a more just society.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAURYN HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rooseveltriley1141
I wasn't ready to receive what she was saying when I bought this album. She was tapped in to the heavenly realm when she wrote this album. This whole collection was a prophetic declaration! So powerful!
@ppeejjfffiii
Roosevelt Riley YES! Back in 07 a guy at work let me listen to this..... My mind was screwed after I heard it, smh. My flesh couldn't make head or tails of it, but deep inside (spirit?) I KNEW so much Truth and Wisdom was laced in this whole cd. Since then I've learned some things ;) and I understand much of what she's saying now.
I still don't get Adam Lives in Theory though.
@RayRenee98
KristeeYahnah Adam lives in theory is about humanity. As humans, we want to believe what we see is the truth. We want to validate our lives with worldly treasures. She’s singing about escaping the fantasy we’re lost in and embracing the reality. We must live our lives for God on Earth so that our souls can make it to Heaven.
@jeffwatson151
I KNOW RIGHT! I just listened again and when she said abandon the flesh I was floored because I was 23 when I first heard this in college i'm 40 now and learning what it mean to "abandon the flesh in the Bible Christ calls it "bearing your cross" now i'm wondering who this brother Anthony is they say she was ducked off and tight with when she made this classic whoever he is knew/know a great deal because I learn under a Hebraist and everything she was hittin on is real talk if one can decipher it hell! the whole album is powerful like you said. now it's totally clear why she walked away from the industry because if her understanding of abandoning the flesh is what I'm learning there's no way in hell the industry could allow her to make a mainstream album droppin all them pearls ,in fact she in the spirit so much she had no choice but to do this unplugged style.
@azariyahsariyah4206
Yes very True 777
@ree5reekidz835
She didn't say Corona radiata Lauryn Hill said
Corona!🥴
@leonaflorence
"All Falls Down" . I had no idea they sampled this song. Great vocals by both women.
@yo8nce
kanye didnt
@gayking3350
@Nitsua Kanye did sample it, just used Syleena Johnson to sing it cause sample didn’t get cleared
@yo8nce
@Gayking yeah he had someone else play guitar and sing it so is it really a sample