Gimme Hope Jo'anna

Album: File Under Rock (1988)
Charted: 7
Play Video
  • 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 neighbors' borders
    Now and again having little fun
    She doesn't care if the fun and games she play
    Is dangerous to everyone

    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 want to know if you're blind Jo'anna
    If you want to hear the sound of drums
    Can't you see that the tide is turning
    Oh don't make me wait till the morning come Writer/s: Bert Klein, Eddy Grant, G Brand
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Jules from GermanySupporters in higher places who turn their heads to the city sun - sounds like a clever play on words, as Eddy Grant refers to Sun City and its allures.
  • Derek from Boston To the fellow who said this was about Johan Vorster. I grew up in SA with this song and presumed it meant Jo’burg. Never considered BJ who was prez in the 70s but this song is from 88.
  • Eugene Louw from Eindhoven/cape TownThe song text (and the sheet music link on this page) originally says "don't make me wait till the MOURNING come" and not morning! Big difference and quite a powerful statement
  • Jeff from East LondonSteve it is in fact Johannesburg. The man said it so himself in an interview I listened to.
  • Bmn from Hisuan, ArgentinaSteve from Cape Town: you're wrong. Vorster's term as PM ended in 1978, ten years before this song was released.
  • Steve from Cape Town, South AfricaThe reference to Jo'anna, is not to Johannesburg. That would make no sense. It did not run the country nor did it have apartheid. In fact Johannesburg opposed apartheid. The Johanna referred to Johan Vorster, the Prime Minister at the time. I suppose it turned him feminine to conceal the true target otherwise the song would never be heard in South Africa. I think it was banned on the state radio anyway. The reason it was banned was because the authorities saw the real message perfectly clearly. That was also why it was popular, apart from the fact that it was a good tune and well performed.
  • Husnain from Karachi, PakistanEddy Grant was in a band called "The Equals" in te UK in the 60's. Their one big hit was "Baby Come Back" of 1968
  • Matt from Pinetown, South AfricaThe song was immensely popular in South Africa and is to this day. Especially among the Afrikaner communities, who often failed to see the message of the song. They do now.
  • Alan from Edinburgh, ScotlandThe Archbishop referred to in the song is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the first black African to attain the position of Archbishop of Cape Town, which position is considered the head of the Anglican Church in southern Africa.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."