Beautiful

I rediscovered this song yesterday evening in my car within the stack of unmarked Memorax, 80 min CD-Rs. The whole album is worth a listen. A mixture of a sermon, personal testimony and powerful musical performance, its difficult not to be moved -- that's not to say there aren't duds on the record, a few of the songs I can't listen to for more than a minute. Nonetheless, the above song as well as Mystery of Iniquity and War in the Mind is undeniably powerful. Worth a look.

The Conquering Lion is incredibly simple - two couplets repeated over a single chord progression (C-F-Em-Dm) with slight rhythmic and melodic variations. What distinguishes the song is the passion and confidence with which its sung. If it wasn't for Lauryn's personal commentary found before and after the song on the record, one might view these characteristics is simply part of a good performance, but in the context of the record, these words are sung as a unashamed declaration - Hill believes what she is saying and is declaring it to the audience in a very direct, confrontational manner. Of course, its done in a good spirit, so, as far as I can tell, people aren't generally offended by it, which is interesting. I think they should be. If one really wants to encounter this song, an response to Hills declaration is necessary. Within the inner chambers of being, an emphatic Yes or No should arise. (Although, I suppose there is also the response of indifferent curiosity, "hm" or "huh").