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.
To Zion
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Zion
Unsure of what the balance held
I touched my belly overwhelmed
By what I had been chosen to perform
But then an angel came one day
Told me to kneel down and pray
Woe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
"Look at your career," they said
"Lauryn, baby, use your head"
But instead I chose to use my heart
Now the joy of my world is in Zion (Zion, Zion)
Now the joy of my world is in Zion (Zion, uh, Zion)
How beautiful if nothing more
Than to wait at Zion's door
I've never been in love like this before
Now let me pray to keep you from
The perils that will surely come
See life for you my prince has just begun
And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
See I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face
That the joy (joy)
Of my world (world)
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Now the joy (joy)
Of my world (world)
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Is in Zion
Now the joy (joy)
Of my world (world)
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Is in Zion
Now the joy (joy)
Of my world (world)
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Is in Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
(Marching), beautiful, beautiful Zion
The lyrics of "To Zion" by Ms. Lauryn Hill tell a personal story of the choice she made to have a child in the midst of her flourishing music career. The song starts with the line "One day, you're gonna understand, Zion", which is a reference to her child, Zion. Ms. Lauryn Hill reveals her uncertainty and fear about whether or not she should have a child when she says "Unsure of what the balance held, I touched my belly overwhelmed by what I had been chosen to perform". She believes she was chosen to perform a higher task than just being a musician, which was to bring a life into the world. However, people around her, including her record label, were skeptical of her decision, and advised her to focus on her music career instead. Despite that, she chose to follow her heart and have the baby. The chorus of the song celebrates the joy that her baby, Zion, brings to her life.
The second verse goes deeper into the emotions she felt during her pregnancy, expressing how nothing has ever made her feel this way before. "How beautiful if nothing more than to wait at Zion's door, I've never been in love like this before" she sings. She prays for Zion's safety and protection, knowing that the world can be harsh, but she promises to cherish and nurture him for the rest of their lives together. The bridge of the song repeats the chorus and features the phrase "Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion" repeated several times, which can be interpreted in different ways, either referring to Zion's birth or the metaphorical journey of life.
Overall, "To Zion" is a touching and powerful tribute to the love between a mother and a child, and how one's decision to follow their heart can lead to the greatest joy and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
One day, you're gonna understand
There will come a time when you'll comprehend
Unsure of what the balance held
Unclear on what the future would uphold
I touched my belly overwhelmed
Overcome with emotion, I placed my hand on my stomach
By what I had been chosen to perform
Deeply moved by the responsibility that had been entrusted to me
But then an angel came one day
Suddenly, I received divine intervention
Told me to kneel down and pray
The message from the angel was to pray humbly
For unto me a man child would be born
The angel revealed that I would give birth to a son
Woe this crazy circumstance
I was taken aback by this astonishing situation
I knew his life deserved a chance
I was certain that my son's life was precious and should be nurtured
But everybody told me to be smart
Everyone advised me to prioritize my career and make rational choices
"Look at your career," they said
They urged me to consider my professional aspirations
"Lauryn, baby, use your head"
In a somewhat patronizing way, they encouraged me to think logically
But instead I chose to use my heart
Despite the prevailing advice, I followed my intuition
Now the joy of my world is in Zion (Zion, Zion)
My greatest happiness and source of inspiration is my son and the concept of Zion
How beautiful if nothing more
There's nothing quite as lovely
Than to wait at Zion's door
To eagerly anticipate reaching the destination of Zion
I've never been in love like this before
This is a new experience of love for me
Now let me pray to keep you from
I pray to shield you from
The perils that will surely come
The inevitable trials and hardships that lie ahead
See life for you my prince has just begun
My son's life is just starting and he has all the possibilities in front of him
And I thank you for choosing me
Grateful for being honored with the role of giving life
To come through unto life to be
To be the vessel that brought life into the world
A beautiful reflection of his grace
My son is a stunning manifestation of God's mercy and love
See I know that a gift so great
I am absolutely convinced that such a valuable present
Is only one God could create
Could only have been created by God
And I'm reminded every time I see your face
Whenever I look at your adorable face, I am given fresh awareness of this fact
That the joy (joy)
That my greatest happiness
Of my world (world)
In my world
Is in Zion (is in Zion)
Is the concept of Zion
Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion
Walking firmly and resolutely towards Zion
Marching, beautiful, beautiful Zion
Looking ahead with reverence to the destination of Zion and the beauty it embodies
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lauryn Hill, Norman Gimbel, Charles Fox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind