Well Jo'anna she runs a country

She runs in Durban and the Transvaal

She makes a few of her people happy, oh

She don't care about the rest at all

She's got a system they call apartheid

It keeps a brother in a subjection

But maybe pressure will make Jo'anna see

How everybody could a live as one



(Chorus:)

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

'Fore the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope, Jo'anna

Hope before the morning come



I hear she makes all the golden money

To buy new weapons, any shape of guns

While every mother in black Soweto fears

The killing of another son

Sneakin' across all the neighbours' borders

Now and again having little fun

She doesn't care if the fun and games she play

Is dang'rous to ev'ryone



(Chorus:)

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

'Fore the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope before the morning come



She got supporters in high up places

Who turn their heads to the city sun

Jo'anna give them the fancy money

Oh to tempt anyone who'd come

She even knows how to swing opinion

In every magazine and the journals

For every bad move that this Jo'anna makes

They got a good explanation



(Chorus:)

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

'Fore the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope before the morning come



Even the preacher who works for Jesus

The Archbishop who's a peaceful man

Together say that the freedom fighters

Will overcome the very strong

I wanna know if you're blind Jo'anna

If you wanna hear the sound of drum

Can't you see that the tide is turning

Oh don't make me wait till the morning come



(Chorus:)

Do give hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

'Fore the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope before the morning come



Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

'Fore the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Gimme hope, Jo'anna

Hope before the morning come