I was born by the river in a little tent And just like that river I've been running ever since It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die Cause I don't know what's out there beyond the sky It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will I go to the movie And I go down town Somebody keep telling me don't hang around Its been along time coming But I know a change is gonna 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, begging please, yeah There were times when I thought I couldn't last for long Now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long, a long time, a long time coming But I know, yeah, a change gonna come, oh yes it will