Johannesburg

Lyrics

[Chorus 1: Gil Scott-Heron] Hey! Said what's the word? Tell me, brother, have you heard? From Johannesburg? Tell me, what's the word now? Sister, woman, have you heard? From Johannesburg? [Verse 1: Gil Scott-Heron] They tell me that our brothers over there are defying the Man And we don't know for sure because the news we get is unreliable, man Yes, I, I hate it when the blood start flowing But I'm glad to see resistance growing [Chorus 1: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what's the word? Tell me, brother, have you heard? About Johannesburg? Now what's the word? Tell me, woman, have you heard? About Johannesburg? [Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron] They tell me that our brothers over there Refuse to work in the mines They may not get the news, but they need to know We're on their side Yeah, now sometimes distance bring misunderstanding But deep in my heart, I'm demanding [Chorus 1: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what's the word? Tell me, brother, have you heard? About Johannesburg? I know there's something happening Tell me what's the word? Sister, woman, have you heard? About Johannesburg? [Bridge: Gil Scott-Heron] And I know that they're struggling over there That ain't gonna free me Yeah, but we've all got to be struggling And if we wanna be free Don't you wanna be free, free? Somebody, hey We ought to come together [Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron] They tell me that our brothers over there Refuse to work in the mines They may not get the news, but they need to know We're on their side Yes, I, I hate it when the blood start flowing But I'm glad to see resistance growing [Chorus 2: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what's the word? (Johannesburg) So what's the word? (Johannesburg) So what's the word? (Johannesburg) So what's the word? (Johannesburg) So get it from the drums (Johannesburg) So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg) You gotta get one (Johannesburg) [Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what's happening In Johannesburg The Valley is like Johannesburg New York is like Johannesburg Freedom ain't nothing but a word, ain't nothing [Chorus 2: Gil Scott-Heron] Said what's the word? (Johannesburg) Said what's the word? (Johannesburg) So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg) Somebody tell me what's happening In Johannesburg [Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron] You know it's like Johannesburg Detroit like Johannesburg Freedom ain't nothing but a word, ain't nothing But a word [Outro: Gil Scott-Heron] So let me see your I.D Let me see your I.D It could be you instead of me Johannesburg, now