Lyrics
Verse 1
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
For unto me a man child would be born
Verse 2
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
Chorus (x2)
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Pre-Chorus
How beautiful if nothing more
Than to wait at Zion's door
I've never been in love like this before
Verse 3
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
Chorus (Repeat)
That the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Outro
Marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching to Zion
Beautiful, beautiful Zion
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“To Zion” by Lauryn Hill is a personal song about choosing to carry a pregnancy when others advised otherwise. The first verse describes feeling overwhelmed, then an angel who told her to kneel and pray, and the line “unto me a man child would be born.” The second admits that people urged her to protect her career and “use your head,” but she chose to use her heart.
The chorus names her son as the joy of her world, set in “Zion.” The verses add a prayer to keep him from the perils ahead, thanks for being chosen to bring him into life, and the conviction that “only one God could create” such a gift. These lines are close to Psalm 127:3 and Luke 1:30-31, where an angel announces a child.
Zion is used here as a picture of a place of joy and blessing, similar to Isaiah 35:10. The closing chant, “marching, marching to Zion,” turns the personal story into a hopeful procession.
Related Scripture
- Luke 1:30-31 An angel announces a coming son
- Psalm 127:3 Children as a gift from the Lord
- Isaiah 35:10 The ransomed come to Zion with singing