Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the song Gimme Hope Jo’anna by Eddy Grant. The song lyrics are perfect for English Learners and include many interesting language topics, such as the simple present and relative clauses.
Let’s begin with some details about the song!
Gimme Hope Jo’anna by Eddy Grant
Gimme Hope Jo’anna is a song originally by Eddy Grant. This listening activity offers information about the song, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.
Jo’anna Give Me Hope by Eddy Grant
Level
Beginner and intermediate students.
Facts about the Song
- Song: Gimme Hope Jo’anna
- Album: File Under Rock
- Date of release: 1988
- Genre: Reggae
- Length of the song: 3 minutes and 47 seconds.
- Writer: Eddy Grant
- Produced by: Eddy Grant
Interesting Information about the Song
Here’s an improved version:
The song is a famous anti-apartheid reggae anthem from the 1980s, written during South Africa’s apartheid era. Despite being banned by the South African government upon its release, it gained widespread popularity and was frequently played throughout the country.
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- She got supporters in high-up places
Who turn their heads to the city sun - She runs in Durban and the Transvaal
She makes a few of her people happy, oh
She don’t care about the rest at all
She’s got a system they call apartheid
It keeps a brother in a subjection
Listening Comprehension
Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences using the words or phrases provided.
- Jo’anna runs in Durban and the __________, making a few of her people happy.
- (Johannesburg, Transvaal, Cape Town)
- The song mentions that Jo’anna has a system called __________ that keeps a brother in subjection.
- (democracy, apartheid, communism)
- According to the song, Jo’anna uses the golden money to buy new __________ of any shape.
- (houses, cars, weapons)
- The preacher who works for __________ and the Archbishop support the freedom fighters.
- (the government, Jesus, Jo’anna)
- The chorus repeatedly asks Jo’anna to give hope before the __________.
- (morning come, evening ends, sun rises)
Gap Fill Exercise
These words are used in the lyrics of the song:
- Soweto: A township in South Africa that became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement.
- Preacher: A person who delivers sermons or religious messages.
- Apartheid: A policy or system of segregation or discrimination based on race, historically used in South Africa.
- Subjection: The state of being under the control or domination of someone or something.
- Archbishop: A senior bishop in charge of an archdiocese in Christian churches.
- Overcome: To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
- Tempt: To entice someone to do something, often something wrong or unwise.
Complete the sentences using the words provided.
- The oppressive system of ____ kept people separated based on their race, denying them equal rights and freedoms.
- Many people lived in a state of ____, unable to make decisions for themselves due to external control.
- The township of ____ was a significant location during the struggle against racial segregation.
- The ____ delivered a powerful sermon that inspired many to join the cause for justice.
- The ____ called for peace and unity among the people, advocating for non-violent resistance.
- The community hoped to ____ the challenges they faced and build a better future.
- The flashy advertisement tried to ____ customers with promises of luxury and wealth.
Source: Wikipedia