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

It's been too hard living, oh
But I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky

It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes, it will

There was a time I went to my brother, oh
I asked my brother: Can you help me, please?
He turned me down, so I go to my mother, oh
I said: Mother! I'm down on my knees

'Cause there have been times when I thought
That I wouldn't last so long
But somehow I was able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes, it will

There was a time I went to my brother, oh
I asked my brother: Can you help me, please?
He turned me down, so I go to my mother, oh
I said: Mother! I'm down on my knees

Oh, there have been times when I thought
That I wouldn't last so long
But somehow I was able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes, it will

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