[Chorus 1: Gil Scott-Heron]
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: Gil Scott-Heron]
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: Gil Scott-Heron]
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: 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
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?
Somebody, hey
We ought to come together

[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)
So what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
So what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
So what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
So get it from the drums (Johannesburg)
So haven’t you heard? (Johannesburg)
You gotta get one (Johannesburg)

[Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron]
Somebody tell me what’s happening
In Johannesburg
The Valley is like Johannesburg
New York is like Johannesburg
Freedom ain’t nothing but a word, ain’t nothing

[Chorus 2: Gil Scott-Heron]
Said what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Said what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
So haven’t you heard? (Johannesburg)
Somebody tell me what’s happening
In Johannesburg

[Chorus 3: Gil Scott-Heron]
You know it’s like Johannesburg
Detroit like Johannesburg
Freedom ain’t nothing but a word, ain’t nothing
But a word
[Outro: Gil Scott-Heron]
So let me see your I.D
Let me see your I.D
It could be you instead of me
Johannesburg, now