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 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 Beyond the sky It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will I go to the movie 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 gonna 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 gonna come Oh, yes it will