I was born by the river, in a little tent Just like the river I've been Running ever since It's been a long 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 up there Above the sky It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will And I go to the movies And I go downtown Somebody keep 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 will And when I go to my brother I say, "Brother, help me please" But he winds up knockin' me Ooh, back down on my knees There've been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long But now I'm able to carry on It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will