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