I was born by the river in a little old tent
Just like that river I've been running ever since
It's been a long time, long time coming
But a change is gonna come, oh, yes, it will

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
'Cause now I know what's up there beyond that blue sky
It's been a long time, long time coming
But a change is gonna come, oh, yes it will

I had to go downtown to see my brother, my dear brother
I asked my brother, “Won't you help me please?”
He turned me down, he turned me down
So I went to see my mother, my dear mother
I said, “Mother, mother, I'm down on my knees”

There's been times when I thought I couldn't last too long
But now I think I'm able, I'm able to carry on
It's been a long time, long time coming
But a change is gonna come
It's been a long, long time coming
But a change is gonna come