Johannesburg

Jo’burg came into existence around its massive gold mines. It is now S.Africa’s largest city, and the financial hub of Africa.

Ambition, hunger and oblivion

Intermingle with the teeming crowds

While the Golden City lies, lies sprawling

In a sunrise of rose-apple clouds

Clickety-clack and the rush is on

In its mad commuter, step up and shoot her, endless pursuit of a rage

Here the Highveld throbs – it’s where it’s at

Thankful if we get a daily wage

Higher and higher young Africa sprouts

- The workers toil on and on

With strong broad shoulders, kept going with a song

Shosholoza, Shosholoza*

Clickety-clack and the rush is on

In its mad commuter, step up and shoot her, endless pursuit of a rage

Here the Highveld throbs – it’s where it’s at

Thankful if we get a daily wage

Mine dumps - symbols of Jo’burg’s eternal quest

The hope and hell of her great glittering goal

Their story tells of young Africa blessed

With Golden Dreams for her indigent soul

Clickety-clack and the rush is on

In its mad commuter, step up and shoot her, endless pursuit of a rage

Here the Highveld throbs – it’s where it’s at

Thankful if we get a daily wage

Hate it or join it you can’t fight the flames

This colossus remains number one

Departing thunderstorms, sweet smells from the rains

She glistens and she basks in the evening sun

Clickety-clack and the rush is on

In its mad commuter, step up and shoot her, endless pursuit of a rage

Here the Highveld throbs – it’s where it’s at

Hopes and dreams hallmark her Golden Age

Cellos played by Carmella, all other instruments & voices by Daniel

The song ‘Shosholoza’ was originally introduced by the big strong Matabele who came from Zimbabwe to work on the mines. ‘Shosholoza’ means go forward or make way for the next man, in Ndebele. It is sung by all working miners in time with the rhythm of swinging their axes to dig. The workers use it as a term of encouragement for each other.

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