I was just a little girl

Skinny legs, a press and curls

My mother always thought I'd be a star

But way before my record deal

The streets that nurtured Lauryn Hill

Made sure that I'd never go too far

Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been

Make me recall my days in the New Jerusalem

Story starts at Hootaville grew up next to Ivy Hill

When kids were stealing quartervilles for fun