I was born by the river

In a little tent

And just like the river

I've been runnin' ever since

It's been a long, long time comin'

But i know, a change is gonna come

Oh, yes it will



It's been too hard livin'

But i'm afraid to die

I don't know what's up there

Beyond the sky

It's been a long, a long time comin'

But i know, a change is gonna come

Oh, yes it will





I go to the movie

And i go downtown

Somebody's tellin' me

Don't you hang around

It's been a long, long time comin'

But i know, a change is gonna come

Oh, yes it will





Then i go to my brother

I say brother, brother help me please

But he just winds up knocking me

Back down on my knees, well





There were times that i thought

I couldn't make it alone

But now i'm able, i'm able

To carry on

It's been a long, a long time comin'

But i know, a change is gonna come

Oh, yes it will

Lord, it's been a long time comin'

But i know, a change is gonna come