I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like the river baby I've been running ever since

It's been a long, a long time coming
And I know a change is gonna come

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there baby beyond the sky

It's been a long, a long time coming
And I know a change is gonna come

Then I go down to my brother
And I say: Brother, help me please
But he winds up knockin' me back down
On my knees

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
And I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been a long, a long time coming
And I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

Well, it's been a long, a long time coming
And I know a change is gonna come, change
I know it, I know it, I know, I know, I know
A change is gonna come