Redemption Song
Lauryn Hill · Other Songs - Lauryn Hill
Lauryn:
Oh Pirates yes they rob I
Stole I from the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the Allmighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won't you help to sing
these songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption Songs (x3)
Ziggy & Lauryn:
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Yes, some say it's just a part of it
But we've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help us sing
Another song of freedom
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption Song (x3)
L. Boogie
Lauryn:
Yo, If they can stop this fruit
They would pop this route
Chop this fruit
Treat us like a prostitute
Knock this youth
See me in my cocky suit
God's recruit
From fallin even God's salute
Tribal truth
Ja people can't be mute
Share my youth to Babylon can't regroup
Sing, to Babylon can't regroup
Sing, to Babylon can't regroup
Lauryn & Ziggy:
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help to sing
Another song of freedom, yeah
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption song (x 5)
Redemption Song
Lauryn Hill's 'Redemption Song' stands as a defining moment in hip-hop and reggae fusion, blending spoken word poetry with a haunting reggae rhythm. Released in 1998 on her landmark album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the track reimagines Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' to address themes of slavery, freedom, and spiritual liberation. Hill's delivery transforms the original into a powerful meditation on human dignity and the struggle for justice. The recording marked a pivotal shift in her artistic identity, moving away from the aggressive rap style of her earlier work toward a more introspective, soulful approach that emphasized social commentary and musical experimentation. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to transcend genre boundaries, influencing countless artists who sought to merge rap with roots music while tackling profound political and personal narratives.