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Johannesburg (Live 1983) Lyrics by Gil Scott-Heron

Plug In, Turn On, Cop Out (Live 1983)

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You know uuhuhuuhm
Uuhoh we have been we been send here uuhuhuuh
First of all let me say this
And maby I’ll I’ll make it I’ll make a second or a third of all
You know uuhuuhoh first of all let me say this
That like we really appreciate it you coming out on a Tuesday evening
And share your vibrations with us
Cause it wasen’t been nothin’ without you
And after that you say
That along with most of the members of the band
I myself have been living in the Wasington area now for about ten years
And they have been the most creative period of my life
Uuhohoh one of the songs that we wrote
We first put it out there were five nations in Southern Africa
That we’re still looking for independence
They were Angola Mozambique’s Zimbabwe Namibia and Essania
And today as we do these songs for you there are only two nations
Nabibi and Esania there still looking for independence
And hopefely about the time we got the change to them for you again
The entire continent of Africa will have claim libration and we’Ill be free
Because we have come to understand’s some how
That we if if we’re all not free we not really free
We like to do a song for you about what’s the word?
It’s about trying to find a what’s happening in Africa?
And when we say what’s the word?
We would like to have you all say Johannesburg
So if we can get everybody to help us out we really
Can everybody help us out when we say what’s the word and say Johannesburg?
Ride on that’s we need
One two and you know what do
Heeheheah
I say what’s the word? (What’s the word?)
I’ve seen what happen?
What happened is if you say what’s the wo you know
Can we do that? Everybody go everybody said yeaheah
And then we say what’s the word and the about like
Ten people said Johannesburg
And everybody else like they diden’t say nothin’
Like lot of people who was laying back
Saying yeaheah like I’ll be there
They diden’t know it came that quick you know
But Che Guevara has told you gotte be ready
You can’t tell when it’s gonna come
Is everybody ready?
One two and you know what do
Heeheheah
Said what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me brother have you heard? Not Johannesburg?
Somebody tell me what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me woman have you heard? From Johannesburg
They tell me that our brothers are 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 here now
But I’m a glad to see resistance growing here
Somebody tell me what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me brother have you heard? From Johannesburg
Somebody tell what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me woman have you heard? From Johannesburg
They tell me that our brothers are over there refuse to work in the mine sometime
They may not get the new no
But they need to know we’re on their side full time
Hear now sometimes distance bring misunderstanding here
Still but a deep in my heart I’m demanding hear now
Somebody tell me what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me brother have you heard? From Johannesburg
Somebody tell me what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Tell me woman have you have you heard? About Johannesburg?
And I know that they’re struggling over there that ain’t gonna free me
We’re not a child in here yeah but we've all gonna got to be struggling
Say if we wanna be free don’t you wanna be free free free free?
Keep your freedom now
Time to go
Time to set on all right
Can’t you feel it now?
Can’t you feel it now?
It just his smile that goes on
You tell me that our brothers are over there
Refuse to work in the mines sometime
They may not get the new no
But they need to know we’re on their side full time
Yes I I hate it when the blood start flowing here now
But I’m a glad to see resistance growing here now
Sometimes tell me what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Say what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
What’s the word? (Johannesburg)
What’s the word? (Johannesburg)
So back in the bag (Johannesburg)
So a little bit louder huuhahahaah (Johannesburg)
Haven’t you heard? (Johannesburg)
Is somebody here tell me what’s happening? Johannesburg
We need all the back Johannesburg
You’ve see like Johannesburg
Freedom ain’t nothin’ but a word ain’t nothin’ but
What’s the word? (Johannesburg)
What’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Say what’s the word? (Johannesburg)
Somebody there gonna picture me what’s happening in Johannesburg?
We need your back Johannesburg
Soon there back Johannesburg
Freedom ain’t nothin’ but a word ain’t nothin’ but a word
Woohuhuhohooh let me see your I.D
Let me see your I.D. can’t get me want you get up me?
Johannesburg now
If be ain’t nothin’ but a I ain’t nothin’ but a I ain’t nothin’ but a
I ain’t nothin’ but ahahah ain’t nothin’ but I wonder how?
Still like I ain’t Johannesburg what about Johannesburg?
Thank you
Thank you much I appreciate it
Thank you we love you thank you
Credits
Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron

About “Johannesburg (Live 1983)” by Gil Scott-Heron

Read the complete lyrics to "Johannesburg (Live 1983)" by Gil Scott-Heron from the album "Plug In, Turn On, Cop Out (Live 1983)". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under R&B.

"Johannesburg (Live 1983)" is performed by Gil Scott-Heron. from the album "Plug In, Turn On, Cop Out (Live 1983)" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Johannesburg (Live 1983)", explore more songs by Gil Scott-Heron using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"Johannesburg (Live 1983)" is credited to Gil Scott-Heron. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Johannesburg (Live 1983)" appears on "Plug In, Turn On, Cop Out (Live 1983)".

Visit the Gil Scott-Heron artist page at /artist/gil-scott-heron for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.