I was born by the river
In a little tent
Oh, and just like the river, I've been running
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
'Cause 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
And somebody keep telling 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 knockin' me
Back down on my knees, oh

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, but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes, it will