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 out there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come

Well, I go to the movies and I go downtown
Well, some people don't want me to hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come

And then I go to see my brother
And I ask him to help me please
And 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

It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, change gon' come, change gon' come