Well Joanna 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 wil make Joanna see
How everybody could a live as one

Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Gimme hope, Joanna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Hope before the morning come

I hear she makes all the golden money
To buy new weapons, any shape of guns
While every mother in the 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

Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Gimme hope, Joanna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Hope before the morning come

She's got supporters in high up places
Who turn their heads to the city sun
Joanna gives 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 Joanna makes
They've got a good explanation

Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Gimme hope, Joanna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Hope before the morning come

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 Joanna
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, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Gimme hope, Joanna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Joanna
Hope, Joanna
Hope before the morning come (x3)