Gil Scott-Heron
Lyric guide

Johannesburg

Read Johannesburg lyrics by Gil Scott-Heron on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Gil Scott-Heron visibility1 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Gil Scott-Heron Canonical path: /gil-scott-heron/johannesburg Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Johannesburg

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

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?

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Johannesburg"?

Gil Scott-Heron performs "Johannesburg", and this lyric page sits inside the Gil Scott-Heron catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Johannesburg"?

Yes. The related section below points to B Movie and Did You Hear What They Said? with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Gil Scott-Heron?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Gil Scott-Heron's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Johannesburg yet.