Johannesburg

(Album: Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – Messages (Anthology) - 2005)

What's the word?
Tell me brother, have you heard
From Johannesburg?
What's the word?
Sister/woman have you heard
From Johannesburg?
They tell me that our brothers over there
Are defying the Man.
We don't know for sure because the news we get
Is unreliable, man.
Well I hate it when the blood starts flowing,
But I'm glad to see resistance growing.
Somebody tell me what's the word?
Tell me brother, have you heard
From Johannesburg?
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.
Now sometimes distance brings misunderstanding,
But deep in my heart I'm demanding:
Somebody tell me what's the word?
Sister/woman have you heard
'Bout Johannesburg?
I know that their struggling over there
Ain't gonna free me,
But we all need to be struggling
If we're gonna be free.
Don't you wanna be free?