Gil Scott-Heron — Johannesburg Live 1983

[Chorus 1] 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] 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] 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] 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, free, free? [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) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) [Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what’s happening In Johannesburg New York is like Johannesburg L.A. is like Johannesburg Freedom ain’t nothing but a word, ain’t nothing [Chorus 2] What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) What’s the word? (Johannesburg) Somebody tell me what’s happening In Johannesburg [Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron] Somebody tell me what’s happening In Johannesburg [?] is like Johannesburg [?] is like Johannesburg Freedom ain’t nothing but a word, ain’t nothing [Outro] So let me see your I.D Let me see your I.D It could be you instead of me Johannesburg, now