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 can make jo'anna see
How everybody could a live as one


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 make 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

She'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 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

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 drums
Can't you see that the tide is turning

Oh don't make me wait till the morning come

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