I was born by the river
In a little tent
Oh, and just like forever I've been running
Ever since
It's been a long, 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
Cos I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
Then I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keeps telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, 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 me up, knocking me
Back down on my knees
There've been times that I thought I could last for long
But now I think I've been able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will