The Passover story teaches us about freedom and the ideas of being free as a people.

In a more modern reflection, Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar's "Freedom" explores just those themes.  I encourage you to read through the lyrics below in a more modern interpretation of the same story we learned in Egypt.  It's important to remember that though we are able to celebrate our freedom tonight, we still live in a society in which the freedom that we received fleeing Egypt is not a reality every day in our society.  In America alone, Black, Asian, Hispanic and Jewish individuals, among other diverse groups face discrimination daily that reminds us that while we may be free from slavery, we are still not entirely free.

As Beyonce repeats throughout the song, "Freedom! Freedom! I can't move Freedom, cut me loose! Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too!"

Verse 1: Beyoncé] Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder

Tell the storm I'm new I'ma walk, I'ma march on the regular

Painting white flags blue

Lord forgive me, I've been running

Running blind in truth

I'ma rain, I'ma rain on this bitter love

Tell the sweet I'm new

[Pre-Chorus: Beyoncé] I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away" May the last one burn into flames

[Chorus: Beyoncé] Freedom! Freedom! I can't move Freedom, cut me loose! Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too! I break chains all by myself Won't let my freedom rot in hell Hey! I'ma keep running Cause a winner don't quit on themselves

[Verse 2: Beyoncé] I'ma wade, I'ma wave through the waters

Tell the tide, "Don't move" I'ma riot, I'ma riot through your borders

Call me bulletproof Lord forgive me, I've been runnin'

Runnin' blind in truth I'ma wade, I'ma wave through your shallow love

Tell the deep I'm new

[Pre-Chorus: Beyoncé] I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away" May the last one burn into flames

[Chorus: Beyoncé] Freedom! Freedom! I can't move Freedom, cut me loose! Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too! I break chains all by myself Won't let my freedom rot in hell Hey! I'ma keep running Cause a winner don't quit on themselves

[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar] Ten Hail Marys, I meditate for practice Channel 9 news tell me I'm movin' backwards Eight blocks left, death is around the corner Seven misleadin' statements 'bout my persona Six headlights wavin' in my direction Five-O askin' me what's in my possession Yeah, I keep runnin', jump in the aqueducts Fire hydrants and hazardous Smoke alarms on the back of us But mama, don't cry for me, ride for me Try for me, live for me Breathe for me, sing for me Honestly guidin' me I could be more than I gotta be Stole from me, lied to me, nation hypocrisy Code on me, drive on me Wicked, my spirit inspired me Like yeah, open correctional gates in higher desert Yeah, open our mind as we cast away oppression Yeah, open the streets and watch our beliefs And when they carve my name inside the concrete I pray it forever reads

[Chorus: Beyoncé] Freedom! Freedom! I can't move Freedom, cut me loose! Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too! I break chains all by myself Won't let my freedom rot in hell Hey! I'ma keep running Cause a winner don't quit on themselves

[Outro: Kendrick Lamar] What you want from me? Is it truth you seek? Oh father can you hear me? What you want from me? Is it truth you seek? Oh father can you hear me? Hear me out

[Spoken: Hattie White] I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story