Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of dreams and lives and stories told
Bright lights and brighter paths
Fulfilling its destiny through its arts
Never asleep, never surrendered
Always bustling, always unending

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of heartbreaking heroism and divided goals
Far greater the riches held by a few
Far simpler the poverty semi-hidden from view
Now times are real, now times are fast
You’re either up on it or you’re not going to last

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of firm-footed aspirations and deftly handled holds
We say that you, are the base for the game
For empire and empire and empire’s name
We toil and strive and break backs anew
To feather these nests, to find fortune true

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of dim-witted dreamers and passionate fools
Where is thy blessing for the traveller’s head
When all have come thus, and thus far have they bled
So do you acknowledge the very basic of dreams
That sustenance and shelter for all should be real?

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of far-fetched delusions and grandiose roads
You’ve dodged the question about justice for all
And landed on your feet, fresh from a brawl
Do none of your lords, your rand-gods, feel pity
That so many are excluded from basic opportunity?

Johannesburg, Johannesburg – City of Gold
Of oft accustomed anger and boastfulness bold
Where are your leaders, your guardians and men
To lift up the poor and the downtrodden and them
Too long has past from the discovery’s new day
I fear alas, that for some, it is too late!