| Eddy Grant – Gimme Hope Jo'anna Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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This song is very important in South Africa is probably the most popular song in the country. The meaning is very important and I am surprised it is not discussed here. Jo'anna most certainly refers to Johannesburg, the largest and in many respects capital city of South Africa during Apartheid, a centre of the Apartheid government and legislative headquarters. Apartheid, meaning 'separation' in the South African language Afrikaans, was a period during which many different races were segregated in every respect, with laws favouring the white minority of the country in everything ranging from education to healthcare access (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid). For example, non-white people could not live in the same areas, go to the same hospitals, study, work, or shop in the same places as whites and were restricted to a poorer quality of life in every respect. This song is important because it was a message not just to the world about what was happening in South Africa at the time, but also a message of hope to the millions living under segregation during Apartheid. It is for this reason that this song was banned by the Apartheid regime in South Africa. It was part of a worldwide campaign of sanctions against South Africa from the rest of the world that lead to the fall of Apartheid. The first chorus refers to Jo'anna as the regime that at the time implemented and enforced racist laws to 'run' South Africa. Durban is another major city in South Africa, and Transvaal an area - indicating that these laws effect many but only a few (the white minority) are 'made happy'. The next lines introduce Apartheid, and how it keeps 'a brother' (non white population) in 'subjection'. It is noted that international pressure that has begun (sanctions against South Africa) and condemnation of Apartheid may make the Jo'anna stop these acts and alws. The chorus, while happy, can be seen as a sincere plea to the government to give an indication that they are willing to change their extreme views and policies so that the non-white population can have a chance at a better life. The second verse mentions 'golden money'. About 60% of old gold in the world was mined in Johannesburg, and this was the basis of the economy. This was used to arm the government ('shape of guns'). 'Soweto' was the largest township near Johannesburg. This is a poor, informal settlement area where blacks were forced to live. If you've ever seen the movie District 9, the area in which aliens live is a representation of Soweto. Police patrols were fequent and many deaths occured during unrests in Soweto. 'Sneakin across all the neighbours borders...' refers to South Africa invading neighbouring countries like Namibia in response to sanctions and other political action against the Apartheid regime. 'She's got supporters in high up places' may refer to the fact that political support of the Apartheid regieme came from the USA during the cold war for reasons I will not go into. 'Who turn their heads to the city sun' refers to Sun City - an exclusive luxry resorts for whites only in SA. 'She even knows how to swing opinion..' describes how good the Apartheid government were at explaining and arguing that Apartheid was needed in SA and for example, labelling Nelson Mandela as a terrorist etc. The last verse refers to Archbishop Demond Tutu, an important South African anti revolutionary who, together with Mandela and others, oversaw peaceful protests and won a Nobel prize for this. 'Can't you see that the tide is turning...' refers to the fact that many countries had sanctioned SA and it was struggling to survive. This is probably Eddy Grant's most serious and content rich songs, hope you learnt something. |
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| Rise Against – Injection Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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On reflection perhaps I was wrong :P It seems yes, the person is considering what to do. To keep the guy alive and not let him die: Knees are weak, hands are shaking, I can't breathe So give me the drug, keep me alive Give me what's left of my life Don't let me go Or to let him die: Pull this plug Let me breathe On my own I'm finally free Don't let me go Either way it's 'Don't let me go'. He doesn't want him to suffer not does he want him to die. He can't make a choice. |
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| Rise Against – Injection Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I think everyone has the song meaning wrong. Sure it's open to different interpretations but I do think this song has a very clear meaning, the biggest hint being 'Injection'. Why would this song be called 'Injection' if it was about drugs, relationships or whatever? It's so clear to me that by calling this song 'Injection' the artists are reffering to the lethal injection. Do you spend your days counting the hours you're awake? And when night covers the sky you find yourself doing the same There's a burden you've been bearing in spite of all your prayers There's a light turned off inside your heart, can you remember what it's like to care? Quite clearly someone has some kind of life breaking condition and is lying in a hospital bed, unable to move, lost the will to live etc etc. Knees are weak, hands are shaking, I can't breathe So give me the drug, keep me alive Give me what's left of my life Don't let me go Now read these carefully. He wants to be 'given the drug' yet that is meant to 'keep him alive'. If we take 'drug' to mean lethal injection then that doesn't make sense. The 'don't let me go' bit doesn't either. But I think the artists are saying that by assisting someone with suicide in that condition you are actually keeping them alive. You're not letting them 'go'. You're not going to watch them digress into a completely different person as they have no will to live and don't 'care' about anything anymore if they just continue in their current state. You're actually preserving their life for you and others and even the person in question. You're *not* letting them 'go'(go mad) by letting them go (die). Pull this plug Let me breathe On my own I'm finally free Don't let me go This verse makes more sense. Pull the plug to the machine keeping them alive. Let the person breath on their own. Let them be free and go to death. This grip loosens but it never breaks We carry nothing but a name you will forsake Your words are always there to break my fall In them I find the comfort to see through it all Guide me through uncharted waters Before we lose our way again Will you be my compass Until forever, until forever ends? I'm not sure what this means. Possibly something to do with having to make the desicion to end someone elses life. 'Guide me through..." .... 'Will you be my compass until forever ends?'. Makes sense to me. Overall I think words such as 'Injection', 'Pull the plug', 'Let me breath on my own' , 'Give me what's left of my life', strongly suggest that this song is about something more specific than dependancy on drugs/people and more about assisted sucicide or something of that nature! |
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