With only a matter of weeks until the pivotal US Presidential Election in November, and the Democratic National Convention having begun today, we decided to revisit the magnificent Eddy Grant's controversial and catchy anthem about international politics in the time of Apartheid in South Africa - "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna". The original song was written and recorded in 1988 by the British-Guyanese artist as an anti-apartheid British musical intervention (it didn't chart in the US) and it was banned by the SA government for daring to critique and offer hope for change in Johannesburg (Jo'Anna) and beyond.

So we've flipped the concept back to a person - because that's how the US contest is always configured - and set up Kamala Harris as the centre of the chorus as she now occupies the centrepiece of hope for those wishing to avoid another Donald Trump administration. There are a few lateral references to Trumpisms (such as his claim that he shared a helicopter ride, or that Americans would never have to vote again if they elected him). But it just felt a good fit to be able to sing something upbeat and positive - and for our two girls to see the most powerful person in the world might be about to be a woman for the first time, in contrast to Trump's track record on gender and rights.

For more info:
- on Eddy Grant (including insights into his politics, music, Gimme Hope Jo'Anna and views on Trump): https://www.classicpopmag.com/2023/12...
- on Trump: (fake helicopter ride) - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo... (stating "You won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians") - https://www.indy100.com/politics/trum...
- on Kamala Harris profile: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c34...

This parody arrangement, lyrics, and video all created, played, and sung by The Marsh Family at home (Faversham, UK).

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LYRICS:

WELL OLD DONALD USED TO RUN THE COUNTRY
HE SOWED DIVISION - TRIED TO BUILD A WALL
HE MADE A FEW OF HIS PEOPLE WEALTHY, OH
HE DON’T CARE ABOUT THE REST AT ALL
HE’S GOT CONVICTIONS - HE DID THE NASTY
AND UNDERMINED THE CONSTITUTION
HE’S AN OPPRESSOR OF CIVIL LIBERTIES
MEGALOMANIAC REPUBLICAN

GIMME HOPE KAMALA
HOPE KAMALA
GIMME HOPE KAMALA
FOR THE ELECTION
GIMME HOPE KAMALA
HOPE KAMALA
HOPE FOR BEATING DONALD TRUMP

YOU SEE SHE’S SAFER THAN HIM WITH MONEY
SHE’LL TRY TO REGULATE THE SALE OF GUNS
SHE’S BRINGING MEASURES THAT OFFER HOPE NOT FEAR
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND ABORTION
WE KNOW THERE’S GRIEF WITH THE NEIGHBOURS’ BORDERS
WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMMIGRATION
DON’T WANT A PRESIDENT OF THE USA
WHO’S DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE

[Chorus]

SHE’S GOT A FATHER WHO’S FROM JAMAICA
SHE HAD A MOTHER WHO WAS INDIAN
SHE WASNT BORN INTO FANCY MONEY
OH BUT HAD A GOOD EDUCATION
WELL YOU COULD VOTE FOR A WEIRD FELON
WHO THREATENS BLOODBATHS AND CIVIL WAR
BUT IT’S A BAD MOVE TO TRUST IN THE WRINKLED HUSK
OF A SATSUMA THAT WENT OFF BEFORE

[Chorus]

HE MAKES UP LIES LIKE AN ANGRY TODDLER
SEEKING ATTENTION FROM THE MEDIA ROUND
OH – HE MAY DENY THE FACTS, BUT LIKE BETAMAX
HE’S JUST AN 80S TAPE THAT’S WEARING DOWN
HE THINKS THE LAW IS BENEATH HIS STATION
SEXUAL ASSAULT DOESN’T UNDERSTAND
WE’VE SEEN HIS WIFE SPEND HER LIFE LOOKING QUITE UPTIGHT
IN CASE HE DARES TO TRY TO HOLD HER HAND!

[Chorus]

HE TRIES TO PREACH BUT HE AIN’T NO JESUS
HE’S GOT THE MOVES OF A BATTERY HEN
BETTER TO KEEP HIM ON A COURSE WHERE HIS HANDICAP
IS NOT FOMENTING INSURRECTION
YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE WHO HE CALLS ‘CAMILLA’
SHE’S CALIFORNIAN AND NOT A MAN
BUT SHE WON’T SET THE COUNTRY BURNING
OR TAKE IT BACK TO 1861

[Choruses]



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