I was born by the river in a little tent 

Oh, and like that river I've been running ever since 

It's been a long, long time coming 

But I know a change is gonna come 

Oh yes it is 



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

I don't know what's up there beyond the sky 

It's been a long, long time coming 

But I know a change is gonna come 

Oh yes it is 



I go to the movies and I go around in town 

Everybody there keeps telling me "don't hang around" 

It's been a long, a long time coming 

But I know a change is gonna come 

Oh yes it is 



Then I go to my brother 

And I say "Brother, please" 

But he just winds up, knocking me 

Back down on my knees 



Sometimes I thought I wouldn't last for long 

But now I think I'm able to carry on 

It's been a long, long time coming 

But I know a change is gonna come 

Oh yes it is