I was born by the river in a little tent

Oh and just like the river I been a runnin' ever since

It's been a long, a long time coming but I know

A change gon' come oh yes it will

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die

Cuz 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 gon' come oh yes it will



I go to the movie, and I go downtown

Somebody keep tellin me "don't hang around"

It's been a long, a long time coming, but i know

A change gon' come oh yes it will



Then I go to my brother

And I say "brother, help me please"

But he winds up knocking me

Back down on my knees

There been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long

Now think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long, along time coming but I know

A change gon' come, oh yes it will