I was born by the river
In a little old tent
And just like that river
I've been running ever since
It's been a long
Been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

It's been too hard living
Oh but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there
Beyond the clouds
It's been a long
It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

There was a time
When I asked my brother
"And my brother, " I said
"Brother, brother won't you help me please"
When it needs I'm down
And when I asked my mother
"My dear sweet mother, " I said
"Mama, mama I'm down
On my knees"

And there was a time, Lord
When less I loan
Lord I was able
Somehow here we are
It's been a long
It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

Like I said
There was a time
When I asked my brother
"My brother, " I said
"Brother, brother won't you help me please"
When it needs sent me down
And when I asked my little mother
"And my mother, " I said
"Mama, mama I'm down
On my knees"

And there was a time
Oh, unless I loan
Thought I was evil
Somehow to carry on
It's been a long
It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

There was a time
When I asked my brother
"My brother, " I said
"Brother, brother won't you help me please"
When it needs sent me down
And when I asked my little mother
"And my mother, " I said
"Mama, mama I'm down
On my knees"

And there was a time
Oh, unless I loan
Thought I was evil
Somehow to carry on
It's been a long
It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

And I know, I know change has gotta come
Yes and I know
That you know that I know that you know
That change has gotta come
I am so tired, so tired, change has gotta come
Yes a change, a change has gotta come