African Artists perform "Give Me Hope Joanna" at Mandela Day 2009 from Radio City Music Hall Go to: www.mandeladay.com/events/premium to see more clips along with extra features
It's a shame the name of compositeur was not mentioned. This song was written by Eddie Grant a son of Guyana while Mandela and his brothers were still in prison, the lyrics of the song send a message immediately to the world. Speak first of it's origin. Proud of you Eddie, your work will live on. Shalom
Happy Birthday Mandela! Born into earthly life: July 18, 1918 born into eternal life: December 5, 2013. 95 years of faithful service to humanity we love you. Enjoy heaven my friend.
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 Jo'anna If you wanna hear the sound of drum Can't you see that the tide is turning Oh don't make me wait till the morning come Do give hope, Jo'anna Gimme hope, Jo'anna Gimme hope, Jo'anna 'Fore the morning come Gimme hope, Jo'anna Gimme hope, Jo'anna Hope before the morning come
Oh!! Oh!! my goodness!!! Goodness!! me. Wow wow!! Where have I been all this while without noticing this smashingly beautiful group re-endition of "Give me Hope Joanna". Boy Oh! Boy. Did they nail it ot what!!!! The search for an African National Anthem is over!!
For both...African and Caribbean nationals, It is probably most thrilling to hear...yet another dramatic performance of this 'song of social protest' - a haunting lyrical Social Commentary - one that evokes a sense of national pride to hear an African version from Soweto (South Africa), performing this adapted version of the original "Give Me Hope Johanna," by Caribbean/International Superstar - Eddy Grant, from Guyana (South America). Certainly...singer Eddie Grant has been very passionately engaged and resolutely focused in his attention and effort during the decade of the 1980's, to dismantle the white ruled system of apartheid in South Africa. - Wil-a Pluck (Art & Social Critic).
Jo'anna in this song is referring to the city of Johannesburg, the seat/power of the evil regime of white apartheid South Africa. The song was originally written, produced and released by one of music great, and anti-apartheid reggae musician Eddy Grant in 1988.
@peas creek I think the name Joanna in the song was a parody for Johannesburg. The deliberate omission of the letter h is meant to give the listeners an indirect hint as to what country EG is singing about.
That's exactly what it is. It evens mentions Apartheid in the song. Also, this performance was on Mandela Day, so yeah this song is entirely about Johannesburg.
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 dang'rous to ev'ryone 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 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 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'm bald headed bt I feel th strands of my hair stand when I watch n listen 2 this. @njokim49 and @illouie the lady in yellow is Suzzane Owiyo, not Awiyo. She's an Afrofussionist frm Kenya, my motherland.
We need a song like this in the U.S. now! Current trends and corrupt ex-president need to be stopped by a peaceful United front, if that doesn't work riots in the streets!
My friend wash a apartheid fight hi playt in the band ak47 later deezo and the bannabeat hi tolt me alot about the time hi is white but was fighting against apartheid . The gaverment wan it him dead now hi is ther every winter . But becoz of corona hi is still ther .when hi is back new music will come
Absolutely wonderful except for one detail: I don't know you, but I cringed everytime the camera pointed to the public. Were they bored or what? Other than that: Go Freshlyground!!
the first singer could not sing! and i miss the 1 person that should have been their! and that is Eddy Grant whos song this is! this looks amature night at the karaoke bar.....
Some critics here with regards to singers get a grip assholes we all make mistakes the biggest was a white government in a majority black country introduced apartied to segregate blacks from their own country out of this a man arose to fight for his colour and country Mandela RIP
