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 allShe'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 oneOh 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 comeI hear she makes all the golden money
To buy new weapons, any shape of guns
While every mother in a black Soweto fears
The killing of another sonSneakin' across all the neighbors' borders
Now and again having little fun
She doesn't care if the fun and games she play
Is dangerous to everyoneOh 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 comeShe's 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 comeShe 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 explanationOh 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 comeEven the preacher who works for Jesus
The Archbishop who's a peaceful man
Together say that the freedom fighters
Will overcome the very strongI wanna know if you're blind Jo'anna
If you wanna hear the sound of drums
Can't you see that the tide is turning
Oh don't make me wait till the morning comeOh don't 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 comeGimme 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