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 gon' 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 gon' come

Oh yes, it will

I go to the movie

And I go downtown

And somebody keep telling me

"Don't hang around"

It's been a long

A long time coming, but I know

A change gon' 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, oh

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 gon' come

Oh yes, it will