I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like that river I've been running ever since
It's been a long a long time coming
But I know a change is 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 out there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
I go to the movies, and I go downtown,
Somebody keep telling don't hang around,
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
And then I go to see my brother
And I ask him to help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
There've been times 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 is gonna come, oh yes it will