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
  
 
 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