I was born by the river in a little tent Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die 'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
I go to the movie and I go downtown Somebody keep telling me, \"Don't hang around\" It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
Then I go to my brother And I say, \"Brother, help me please\" But he winds up knockin' me Back down on my knees
Oh there been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will