Johannesburg - Gil Scott-Heron

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 defyin' the Man.

We don’t know for sure because the news we get

Is unreliable, man.

Well I hate it when the blood starts flowin',

But I’m glad to see resistance growin'.

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 strugglin' over there

Ain’t gonna free me,

But we all need to be strugglin'

If we’re gonna be free.

Don’t you wanna be free?