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 got a system they call apartheid  It keeps a brother in subjection  But maybe pressure will make Jo'anna see  How everybody could live life as one oh    Gimme hope Jo'anna hope Jo'anna  Gimme hope Jo'anna 'fore the mourning come  Gimme hope Jo'anna hope Jo'anna  Hope before the mourning come    I hear she makes all the golden money  To buy new weapons in the shape of guns  While every mother in a black Soweto  Fears killing of another son    Sneakin' across all the neighbours' borders  Now and again having a little fun  She doesn't care if the fun and games she play  Is dangerous to everyone oh    CHORUS  Gimme hope Jo'anna gimme hope Jo'anna  Gimme hope Jo'anna 'fore the mourning come  Gimme hope Jo'anna gimme hope Jo'anna  Hope before the mourning 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 know how to swing opinion  In every magazine and the journals  For every bad move that this Jo'anna make  They got a good explanation oh    REPEAT CHORUS    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 mourning come oh