I was born by the river
In a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running
Every 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
Ohhhhhhhhh
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