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

(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 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

(Chorus)

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

(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 drums
Can´t you see that the tide is turning
Oh don´t make me wait till the morning come

(Chorus)